WASHINGTON, D.C., — April 18, 2026 : Bell Textron Inc., a subsidiary of Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT), has announced the establishment of a new subsidiary in Ukraine as part of its long-term strategy to expand industrial cooperation in the country and support future rotorcraft programs.
The newly formed entity, Bell Textron Ukraine, will serve as the company’s central operational hub for activities within Ukraine. According to the company, a permanent office location has not yet been finalized, and further details regarding timelines for physical establishment remain undisclosed.
Industrial Structure and Scope of Activities
The creation of Bell Textron Ukraine represents an initial step toward the localization of helicopter-related operations in the country. The subsidiary will oversee and support a range of activities, including the assembly, maintenance, and repair of Bell rotorcraft, as well as coordination of ongoing and future projects.
The company stated that the structure is designed to facilitate long-term cooperation with Ukraine’s defense-industrial base while enabling incremental development of local capabilities. The initiative is aligned with broader efforts to expand industrial participation and technical collaboration within Ukraine.
Official Statements
Jeffrey Schloesser, Senior Vice President of Strategic Pursuits at Bell, described the move as a foundational step in building practical cooperation with Ukraine.
“This is a meaningful step toward building a practical, mutually beneficial cooperation with the Ukraine defense and industrial base,” Schloesser said. He added that Bell intends to establish a sustained presence in the country to promote collaboration and long-term growth.
Platform Focus and Operational Considerations
Bell identified two of its military helicopter platforms—the AH-1Z Viper and the UH-1Y Venom—as central to its proposed cooperation framework with Ukraine.
According to the company, these platforms could contribute to strengthening Ukraine’s defense capabilities while forming the basis of a long-term industrial partnership. The AH-1Z and UH-1Y share approximately 85 percent common components, which enables simplified logistics, reduced maintenance complexity, and improved operational efficiency. This high level of commonality is expected to support sustainment and training requirements if adopted.
Background Agreements and Policy Framework
The announcement follows Letters of Intent signed in October 2025 between Bell Textron, the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine, and UkraineInvest.
These agreements were intended to evaluate potential areas for industrial cooperation, including the prospective supply of AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters under the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The discussions also included the possibility of establishing a Final Assembly and Check-Out (FACO) capability in Ukraine to support localized production and sustainment.
Operational Outlook
Bell Textron Ukraine will function as the primary entity responsible for advancing these initiatives within the country. While the company has outlined its intent to develop local industrial capabilities, it has not released specific timelines regarding the establishment of facilities or the commencement of production activities.
The formation of the subsidiary formalizes Bell’s entry into Ukraine’s defense-industrial landscape and provides an organizational framework for future cooperation, subject to further agreements and program developments.
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