Japan Announces $2 Billion Helicopter Tender

Japan is reportedly early talks with top global helicopter makers and their Japanese partners regarding a deal worth around $2 billion to build transport aircraft for its military that would also be sold overseas, according to Japan Times. 

The project, dubbed the UH-X, is meant to replace around 150 of Japan’s aging fleet of troop-carrying Huey helicopters, which date from before the Vietnam War and were designed by Bell Helicopter, a unit of industrial conglomerate Textron, the report said. 

Airbus Helicopters, a division of the European aerospace giant, has joined with defence contractor Kawasaki Heavy Industries, while Bell Helicopter is partnered with Fuji Heavy Industries, the maker of Subaru cars, the two sources said. 

AgustaWestland, part of Italy’s Finmeccanica S.p.A., is looking to sell Japan helicopters through Japanese trading company Mitsui & Co., which would be assembled by Fuji Heavy, they said.