Bell Textron announced that South Korean aviation operator EnB Air has signed a purchase agreement for a Bell 505 helicopter dedicated to initial attack firefighting missions. This marks the Bell 505’s entry into Korea’s firefighting operations and expands the aircraft’s growing role in aerial firefighting worldwide.
Initial attack firefighting deploys aircraft as first responders to rapidly contain fires before they spread, buying critical time for ground crews to arrive and establish control. The Bell 505’s combination of speed, manoeuvrability, and advanced avionics makes it exceptionally suited for these time-sensitive missions.
Equipped with the Garmin G1000H NXi avionics suite and dual-channel FADEC-controlled engine, the aircraft delivers reduced pilot workload and reliable performance—essential attributes when operating in demanding firefighting environments.
“The Bell 505 has proven itself as a highly effective firefighting platform, and we’re pleased to see EnB Air bring this capability to South Korea,” said David Sale, managing director, Asia Pacific, Bell. “Helicopters provide what ground crews cannot—immediate access to remote terrain and aerial perspective for tactical fire assessment. The Bell 505’s versatility allows operators like EnB Air to maximise their investment across firefighting, aerial patrol, and other public safety missions.”
Kim Chang-Wong, CEO, EnB Air added, “The Bell 505’s speed, agility, and advanced technology make it ideal for initial attack firefighting where every minute counts. We’re proud to introduce this proven capability to Korea’s firefighting operations.”
This purchase order builds on EnB Air’s 2024 purchase of its first Bell 505—the initial commercial Bell 505 sale in South Korea. The Republic of Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration previously selected the Bell 505 as its military helicopter trainer in 2022.
Since certification in 2017, the Bell 505 has become a trusted platform for public safety operations globally. The fleet has accumulated over 100,000 flight hours across more than 500 aircraft delivered worldwide. In the firefighting segment specifically, four Bell 505 helicopters currently operate on active firefighting missions, with multiple units scheduled to enter service in 2026 and beyond—demonstrating growing confidence in the platform’s firefighting capabilities.
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