Ukraine conflict: Bell explores supplying Kyiv with Viper, Venom helicopters

The Venom (foreground) and Viper (background) are being touted for potential transfer to Ukraine under LoIs signed between manufacturer Bell and the Ukrainian government. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

US company Bell has signed letters of intent (LoIs) to explore the transfer of AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Signed on 20 October, the LoIs now in place with branches of the Ukrainian government are geared at a potential Foreign Military Sales (FMS) procurement by Kyiv of Bell's principal attack and assault helicopter types.

“This initiative has been in development for some time, and we look forward to bringing it to completion,” Jeffrey Schloesser, senior vice-president, Strategic Pursuits at Bell, said. “We are confident that H-1s can play a pivotal role in further building defence capabilities in Ukraine, providing a much-needed upgrade while strengthening current Ukrainian air support,” he added.

News of the LoIs came weeks after Ukrainian Minister of Economy Oleksiy Sobolev said in July that Bell was planning to invest in production facilities in the country. “[I have] held a working meeting with the American manufacturer Bell, which is part of Textron and is making modern military helicopters such as AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom. The company is already planning to invest and produce in Ukraine,” Sobolev said, adding, “We are committed to concrete actions and hope to present real results soon.”

Bell declined to provide Janes with additional information at that time, but the latest LoIs firm up Sobolev's earlier comments regarding a potential Viper and Venom sale to Ukraine.