BELL EXPANDS AERIAL FIREFIGHTING CAPABILITIES IN ASIA PACIFIC WITH FIRST BELL 505 ORDER FOR FIREFIGHTING IN SOUTH KOREA

Bell Textron Inc. announced Monday that South Korean aviation operator EnB Air has ordered a Bell 505 helicopter for initial attack firefighting operations, marking the aircraft’s first deployment in Korea’s firefighting sector.

The purchase agreement, revealed at the Singapore Airshow 2026, expands the Bell 505’s presence in aerial firefighting as the aircraft gains traction in emergency response roles across the Asia Pacific region.

Initial attack firefighting involves deploying aircraft as first responders to quickly contain fires before they escalate, providing crucial time for ground crews to arrive and establish control. The Bell 505’s speed, manoeuvrability, and advanced avionics position it for these time-critical operations.

The helicopter features the Garmin G1000H NXi avionics suite and a dual-channel FADEC-controlled engine, which reduces pilot workload and ensures reliable performance in challenging firefighting conditions.

This order follows EnB Air’s 2024 acquisition of its first Bell 505, which represented the initial commercial sale of the model in South Korea. The Republic of Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration had previously selected the Bell 505 as its military helicopter trainer in 2022.

“The Bell 505 has proven itself as a highly effective firefighting platform, and we’re pleased to see EnB Air bring this capability to South Korea. Helicopters provide what ground crews cannot—immediate access to remote terrain and aerial perspective for tactical fire assessment. The Bell 505’s versatility allows operators like EnB Air to maximise their investment across firefighting, aerial patrol, and other public safety missions.”
David Sale, managing director, Asia Pacific, Bell

“The Bell 505’s speed, agility, and advanced technology make it ideal for initial attack firefighting where every minute counts. We’re proud to introduce this proven capability to Korea’s firefighting operations.”
Kim Chang-Wong, CEO, EnB Air

Since receiving certification in 2017, the Bell 505 has established itself in public safety operations worldwide. The global fleet has logged over 100,000 flight hours across more than 500 aircraft delivered internationally. Currently, four Bell 505 helicopters are operating on active firefighting missions, with additional units scheduled to enter service in 2026 and beyond.