New Abu Dhabi Police helicopter type

The Abu Dhabi Police Air Wing has introduced the Bell 429 to its inventory in February 2021.

One of the helicopters was showcased at the static of the recent Dubai Air Show at Al Maktoum International Airport (UAE). Two Bell 429s out of an order for six are operational.

Besides the two new Bell 429s there are still some eight Leonardo AW139s in use (serial P-201 through P-208). The current status of some five or six Bell 412EPs and AB412EPs is unclear at the moment.

The AW139 in the background on the photo is P-203 and sports, like the Bell 429, a new off-white/blue scheme. Previously the AW139s had a white/red colour scheme.

The new Bell 429s involved are:

P-401 (c/n 57391), ex C-GRSZ Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, registered 24mar20, exported to UAE 17feb21
P-402 (c/n 57393), ex C-GRTW Bell Helicopter Textron Canada, registered 07dec20, exported to UAE 17feb21

Photo by Daan van Laatzen