Bangkok, Thailand – November 11, 2025 – Textron Inc. Bell Textron Inc. announced the successful completion of the refurbishment, modernization and delivery of Bell 212 helicopters to the Royal Thai Navy (RTN).
The upgrade program is designed to extend the operational life of the aircraft and includes improvements to several components, including the fuel system, avionics and paint scheme. The entire process, from inspection to installation, was performed by the Bell Asia Service Center team located in Singapore.
Chris Schaefer Bell VP of Global Customer Solutions said the Bell 212 remains a critical force for the Royal Thai Navy. “The Bell 212 has been the RTN’s primary airframe for decades, performing a variety of missions including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
It is a great honor to be trusted by such an important partner to ensure the continued performance of the aircraft. “Bell will continue to provide unwavering support to RTN to maximize its power and enhance its aviation capabilities,” he emphasized.
To mark the completion of the project, Bell presented custom-made crystal plaques to RTN and the Royal Airport Service (RAS) at the Defense & Security 2025 exhibition in Bangkok.
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Introducing Bell 212

Introduced in 1968, the Bell 212 continues to be used in a variety of major operations around the world, including aerial fire suppression and public safety missions. Approximately 900 units were built over more than 30 years of production, and the model’s legacy continues in the Bell 412, a medium-sized twin-engine helicopter that can be considered a natural evolution of the platform.
Sources and images: Bell flight | Wikimedia. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by our editorial team.
