Ukraine is Offered Pragmatic Bell 407M Light Attack Helicopter, and It's Better Than Pipe Dreams of Apache

The American company Bell has proposed to sell 407M light attack helicopters to Ukraine. Negotiations were held during the Farnborough International Airshow in the United Kingdom, Jeffrey Schloesser, Bell's Executive Vice President of Strategic Pursuits, told Janes.

The sale of this helicopter has been proposed to Ukraine as part of a wider project. The company has not disclosed additional details for now, noting that it's up to the Ukrainian side to do so.

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On a note from Defense Express, the Bell 407M is avery pragmatic choice for a combat rotorcraft. Its design is based on the civilian Bell 407 but with an addition of a weapons control system supporting precision-guided missiles (AGM-114 Hellfire and APKWS), an electro-optical targeting pod, and weapons mounts with six hardpoints.

The combat version is also equipped with armored pilot seats, blades resistant to ballistic impact, a self-sealing fuel tank, and self-protection equipment to detect and counter incoming air defense missiles.

But in terms of flight specifications, the Bell 407M retains the capabilities of its civilian counterpart. It has a maximum cruising speed of 246 km/h, an endurance of 4 hours, a flight range of up to 624 km, a payload capacity of 1,156 kg, and a maximum take-off weight of 2,381 kg (or 2,722 kg with externally suspended cargo).

The Bell 407, introduced in 1994, is derived from the popular Bell 406, known as the OH-58 Kiowa in its military version, which is actively supplied to the US Army using it for reconnaissance and tactical fire support. Therefore, the Bell 407M and OH-58 Kiowa share a direct lineage.

Despite its ability to use high-precision weapons, the Bell 407M is still inferior in attack power to specialized attack helicopters like the AH-64 Apache and AH-1Z Viper. However, it is significantly cheaper. For context, past contracts show that the AH-64E Apache Guardian cost about USD 125 million per unit for Poland, and a second-hand AH-1Z Viper cost $83 million apiece for Slovakia. As for the Bell 407M itself, the current price is unknown but expected to be lower considering its "light helicopter" class.

Because of such pricing for specialized models, light attack helicopters are a more feasible option for many armies due to their lower cost. Even Germany could not afford Apache, opting for the multi-purpose H145M from Airbus instead, paying EUR 3.05 billion for 82 helicopters (24 of which are attack versions), averaging €37.2 million per unit.

For the Armed Forces of Ukraine, renewing army aviation is as crucial as renewing the Air Force fleet. The Ukrainian helicopter fleet, primarily composed of Soviet Mi-24 helicopters, far too outdated and no longer meets modern battlefield requirements.

Worth adding, a light attack helicopter like the Bell 407M can also counter reconnaissance drones in rear areas beyond the frontline.

Compared to the Mi-24 in terms of fire capabilities, the Bell 407M is far superior due to its modern electro-optical systems and the ability to use AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and APKWS guided rockets. Besides, the Bell 407M can launch unguided Hydra rockets in a climb maneuver no worse than the Mi-24.

The offer from Bell is commercial, but financing the purchase could potentially come from donor assistance or the US Foreign Military Financing program, which allows the United States government to compensate Ukraine for the cost of ordered American weapons.

Within this program, the US has pledged $1.6 billion as part of the $61 billion in military aid for Ukraine committed in April 2024. If the order proceeds, establishing local production of these helicopters in Ukraine would also be beneficial.

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