The US State Department has approved a potential $150 million Foreign Military Sale of Bell 505 Jet Ranger X helicopters to the Philippines. The package, notified to Congress on May 5, includes aircraft, spare parts, Bell 505 Veris flight simulators, and support for two operating bases.
The acquisition covers pilot training for 22 personnel, encompassing ground and flight instruction, instrument meteorological conditions operations, helicopter upset recovery, and left-seat orientation. Maintenance training targets six students in avionics, components, and engines, plus skills transfer for 22 personnel. Additional elements include a helicopter maintenance course, five-year integrated logistics support, one year of on-site representatives, tools, technical publications, and digital subscriptions for up to 20 years.
Principal contractor Bell Textron Inc., based in Fort Worth, Texas, will provide program management, delivery, reassembly, and annual reviews for three years. The State Department stated the sale addresses gaps in rotary-wing aircraft proficiency, aiding transition to advanced platforms and supporting security cooperation in Southeast Asia without affecting US defense readiness. Congressional review remains pending before finalization.