The U.S. Department of State has, according to two notices dated August 31 and September 4, approved the sale to Iraq of light attack and transport helicopters of the Bell 407M and Bell 412EPX types. Among the possible deliveries, with an estimated total value of 950 million U.S. dollars (817 million euros), are also 12.7 mm GAU-19 three-barrel Gatling machine guns, 70 mm M260 seven-rocket launchers, electro-optical/infrared sensors L-3 Wescam MX-15HDI, aircraft warning systems AN/AAR-60 Block 2, and additional equipment, as well as spare parts, documentation, technical and logistical support, and equipment training.
The number of helicopters was not disclosed, however the Iraqi government, according to a report by the Inspector General for the Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria to the U.S. Congress for the year 2025, has submitted a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) request for 15 Bell 407M, 16 Bell 412M and four Bell 412EPX. The former are intended to replace the existing Bell 407 fleet; the 412-series aircraft are to replace Iraqi transport helicopters of the Russian Mil Mi-17 type. The Iraqi Army Aviation currently operates 45 Mi-17s and 37 Bell 407s. Given the total amount cited by the American side in two separate approvals, this request may therefore represent only part of the procurement plans.
Bell 407 and 412 Draw on Classic Series
Besides, the mixed stock of the Iraqi Army also includes light attack and training helicopters of the Bell 206, 505 and OH-58 Kiowa types as well as Airbus H135, transport helicopters Bell UH-1 and Airbus H225M Caracal and 15 attack helicopters Mil Mi-28. The Iraqi Air Force had already in 2024 ordered 12 Bell 412, on the one hand, and 14 H225Ms on the other. It also operates single-digit numbers of Aérospatiale Gazelle, Bell 206 and Mil Mi-8. It is reasonable to assume that new procurements will also reduce the logistically challenging variety of types.
With the Bell models 407 and 412, these are developments from the 206 JetRanger and OH-58 Kiowa series and the 204/205/212 Huey, or UH-1 Iroquois, which, unlike the manufacturer’s classic two-blade rotors, are equipped with four-blade rotors. The Bell 407 is based on the 206L Long Ranger with an elongated fuselage and can carry seven people, including the pilot, 1,065 kilograms of internal payload or 1,200 kilograms of external payload. The Bell 412 is based on the twin-engine 212 Twin Huey. The EXP version is the commercial variant of the UH-2 developed by Bell and Subaru for a Japanese requirement.
