Bell Textron Prague has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Bulgaria’s state-owned TEREM Holding to explore a collaborative maintenance and support solution for the Bulgarian Air Force’s fleet of six Bell 206 helicopters.
The intended partnership aims to establish localized customer service in Bulgaria, provided by TEREM, with comprehensive technical support, aircraft parts, and expertise supplied by Bell Textron Prague. This potential solution is designed to ensure the critical, long-term sustainment of the helicopters. It would encompass a full spectrum of services, including heavy maintenance, engineering, retrofits, modifications, and future upgrades, all tailored to keep the Bulgarian Air Force’s aircraft operational and mission-ready.
“We are thrilled to explore this cooperative effort between Bell and TEREM Holding Bulgaria as we provide maintenance support to the Bulgarian Air Force,” said Vlastimil Cepicka, manager of Bell Textron Prague. “Through our in-region maintenance hub, Bell Textron Prague continues to be a trusted aftermarket provider for military and commercial aircraft customers.”
Bell Textron Prague operates a key regional support facility, offering PART 145 maintenance and PART 21 engineering services. This center acts as a one-stop shop for customers across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, performing complex maintenance, custom modifications, and component overhauls for Bell aircraft.
TEREM – HOLDING EAD, under the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense, brings extensive domestic expertise in maintaining and modernizing defense equipment, including aviation assets. This MoU aligns with a broader trend of national armed forces seeking to deepen in-country technical capabilities through strategic partnerships with original equipment manufacturers.
The collaboration promises to bolster the operational readiness of the Bulgarian Air Force’s Bell 206 fleet by creating a dedicated, local support structure backed by Bell’s global technical authority and TEREM’s on-the-ground presence.
