Bell walks away from Avalon Airshow with 5 orders for police helicopters

5 Bell 429s have found new owners at the Avalon Airshow 2025, with two police departments placing orders for the twin-engine helicopter.

By: Yu Le

Published on: 27 March 2025, 7.38pm (GMT +8)

Image source: Kana Photography & Surf Life Saving Queensland

The South Australia Police and the Queensland Police Service have signed an agreement to purchase 2 and 3 Bell 429 helicopters respectively to enhance their aerial policing fleet.

A purchase agreement has been signed for Two Bell 429s by the South Australia Police

(SAPOL) to strengthen their aerial capabilities. They are set to come into service in early

October of 2027. This will supplement their current fleet of PC-12 and Airbus H142

helicopters.

The helicopters are expected to enhance operational readiness and capabilities, and will

support Airborne Law Enforcement, tactical response, search and rescue, disaster

management, and operational transport missions. The helicopters will be operated by pilots from Toll Aviation, as well as SAPOL tactical flight officers.

Separately, the Queenstown Police Service (QPS) has entered into a second service

provision contract for QPS PolAir Services for three more Bell 429s, bringing the total

number of Bell helicopters in its fleet up to six. This is the largest fleet of Bell Helicopters utilised in the law enforcement sector in Australia.

This new batch of Bell 429s is part of a PolAir service provision contract signed by QPS and Meridian Helicopters, a Townsville based helicopter aerial work operator, to strengthen airborne law enforcement ability.

The Bell 429 is a light, twin-engine helicopter powered by PW207D1/D2 engines, first

receiving type certification in July 2009. It is based on its predecessor, the Bell 427. It

supports many utilities, like law enforcement, helicopter emergency medical service, utility work and even corporate and private air transport. It is in service with many military and government agencies worldwide.

Currently, more than 500 Bell 429s are operated around the world, accumulating more than 735000 flight hours as of date.

The Bell 429 is popular among law enforcement agencies worldwide, which include New

South Wales Police Force, New Zealand Police, Canadian Coast Guard, Indonesia National

Police, New York Police Department, Royal Thai Police, and Swedish National Police.