Get to know the Iranian President's helicopter and similar helicopters made in Bandung

There were 16,000 UH-1s and various variants sold. The Bell 212 that Raisi was on was one of the UH-1 derivatives.

IRNA/AFP/ALI HAMED

The Bell 212 helicopter aboard Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi took off from the Iran-Azerbaijan border on Sunday (19/5/2024).

The cause of the helicopter crash that killed Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi is unknown. What is clear is that the Iranian President is riding a product of one of the best-selling helicopter manufacturers on Earth: Bell. The assembly of various variants was carried out in a number of countries, including Indonesia.

The Chief of Staff of the Iranian President's Office, Gholamhossein Esmaili, stated that the weather was clear when three helicopters carrying Raisi's entourage began flying on Sunday (May 19, 2024). During the return flight, the pilot of the helicopter carrying Raisi instructed an increase in altitude.

Also read: A Glimpse at the US-Made Bell 212 Helicopter Riding on the President of Iran

The reason is to avoid clouds. "After flying for 30 seconds above the clouds, our pilot observed that the helicopter in the middle (carrying Raisi) had disappeared," he said as quoted by the Iranian news agency, IRNA, on Tuesday (21/5/2024) evening.

Initial searches and communications were conducted without success. Later, the Bell 212 helicopter that Raisi and a number of people were on was found destroyed. The passengers died.

Many assemblers

Bell is one of the helicopter manufacturers that has been popular since its first product, Bell 30, flew in December 1942. After Bell Aircraft was bought by Textron and became Bell Textron, their best-selling product was introduced: UH-1.

KOMPAS/FAKHRI FADLURROHMAN

Visitors have a close-up view of a Bell 206 helicopter at the Heli Expo Asia 2023 event in Cengkareng Heliport, Tangerang City, Banten, on Friday (16/6/2023).

Since its first flight in 1952, 16,000 UH-1 helicopters and various variants have been sold. The Bell 212 Raisi was riding is one of the UH-1 derivatives. The Bell UH-1 was also developed into the UH-1N Twin Huey, 204/205, 214, 412, CH-146 Griffon, and UH-1Y Venom. The UH-1 was further developed into the 214ST and 533.

In Indonesia, the UH-1 variant is known as the Bell 412 EP and is assembled by PT Dirgantara Indonesia (DI). The twin-engine helicopter has been made in Bandung, West Java, since 2012. The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has certified the airworthiness of the Bell 412EP made by PT DI.

Also read: Spotlight on US Sanctions Behind Iran's President's Helicopter Crash

With a speed of up to 200 kilometers per hour, the helicopter made by PT DI can fly up to 660 kilometers. Its total capacity is 15 people, including two crew members.

PT DI not only assembles, but also produces some components of Bell 412EP and Bell Huey II. At PT DI, the components that are manufactured include tail parts, landing gear, and door posts.

KOMPAS/DAHONO FITRIANTO

The Bell 412 EPX helicopter is the latest generation of the Bell 412 helicopter family developed by Bell in collaboration with Subaru from Japan. The helicopter was tested in a flight test at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta on Monday (9/3/2020).

Users of the Bell 412EP include the Army Aviation Center (Puspenerbad) and the Navy Aviation Center (Puspenerbal). At Puspenerbad, users include the 11 assault squadron.

The helicopters used by Puspenerbad are equipped with bulletproof protection and machine gun mounts. Meanwhile, the Puspenerbal helicopter is equipped with a gatling machine gun.

Also read: Malaysian Army Helicopter Crashes in Lumut, 10 Soldiers Killed

Puspenerbad, among other things, used the helicopter in the hunt for terrorist groups in Poso, Central Sulawesi. In that mission, Mayor Athenius Murip flew the helicopter up to 7,000 feet. Murip, who is now the Commander of Kodim 1702/Jayapura, flew the helicopter almost to the maximum altitude limit.

KOMPAS/DAHONO FITRIANTO

The Bell 412 EPX helicopter is the latest generation of the Bell 412 helicopter family developed by Bell in collaboration with Subaru from Japan. The helicopter was tested in a flight test at Halim Perdanakusuma Air Force Base, Jakarta on Monday (9/3/2020).

A number of other missions also involve the helicopter. Kopassus and Kostrad have also used these helicopters.

War legacy

Although first flying in 1952, the UH-1 only began full operation in the United States military in 1959. The initial contract for 100 helicopters still used a single engine.

Also read: H225M Helicopters Strengthen Indonesian Air Force

The helicopter became a mainstay for the US during the Vietnam War. In fact, the US introduced the Huey fleet because it operated so many of these helicopters. Together with Australia, the US operated at least 7,000 Hueys during the Vietnam War.

Its functions vary, ranging from transporting troops to spreading propaganda. Some Hueys are equipped with loudspeakers used by the US to broadcast popular songs of the time.

KOMPAS/RIZA FATHONI

The Bell 412 EP helicopter at the Army Aviation Center's Squadron 21 TNI AD, Pondok Cabe, South Tangerang, in February 2011.

The helicopter was in operation during the Rhodesia War, which is now known as Zimbabwe. The Falklands War of 1982 also bore witness to the helicopter's toughness. In the Middle East, the helicopter was involved in the wars of Afghanistan and Lebanon.

Iran, before the 1979 Revolution, also ordered a large number of Huey helicopters. In fact, due to the good relationship between Tehran and Washington at that time, a factory was created in Iran for assembly and production of some of the spare parts.

Also read: TNI AD Training Helicopter Crashes in Bandung, Five Passengers Survived

At that time, the leader of Iran, Shah Reza Pahlevi, purchased many aerial assets from the US. Tehran bought F-14 Tomcat fighter jets, AH-1 Super Cobra helicopters, Chinook transport helicopters, and even Bell 212s.

Out of the 10 Bell 212 helicopters purchased during the Shah Reza era, only two are left that can still operate. The sanctions imposed by Washington on Tehran since 1979 have made various aircraft and helicopters bought from the US unable to operate. This is because spare parts cannot be obtained and US manufacturers have also halted repair services.

KOMPAS/ANDY RIZA HIDAYAT

The TNI AD's Bell 412 helicopter made an emergency landing in the grassland of Mandailing Natal Regency, North Sumatra, Friday (18/9/2020).

According to IRNA, the Bell 212 that was ridden by Raisi was bought about 24 years ago. It is not explained how Iran was able to purchase a product made in the US amid Washington's massive sanctions on Tehran. (AP/AFP)