Bell, March 13, 2026 - Atlanta, GA - Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. company, announced during VAI Verticon 2026 that the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) has signed a purchase agreement for seven Bell 407GXis for utility operations, including high voltage powerline maintenance, emergency management and operational support.
Tim Evans, Managing Director, Middle East and Africa,said “Bell is proud to work with the NTCSA as they expand their utility operations with Bell aircraft. The Bell 407GXi is an ideal aircraft for utility operators across the region because it’s a multi-mission workhorse. The NTCSA is joining hundreds of operators across the world who rely on the platform for critical utility use.”
The NTCSA is a key operator of the country’s national electricity transmission grid and is responsible for building a sustainable energy future for South Africa and beyond.
Monde Bala, Chief Executive Officer - NTCSA, said “The NTCSA is eagerly anticipating the arrival of the seven new Bell 407GXi helicopters, in line with our agreement with Bell Textron Inc. As we renew and modernise our aviation fleet, their delivery could not be timelier. We are undertaking one of the largest build programmes in our history, constructing more than 14,000 kilometres of high voltage and ultra-high voltage transmission lines across the country to support new generation capacity. At the same time, maintaining the integrity of our existing transmission grid remains critical. A dependable aviation service is central to this work, and the Bell 407GXi helicopters will play a pivotal role in strengthening our operational capability”
Equipped with single-pilot Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) capability and adjustable cabin space that seats up to five crew members, the Bell 407GXi allows operators to perform in demanding environments while transporting essential equipment. The helicopter's advanced Garmin G1000H NXi Flight Deck improves situational awareness and reduces pilot workload by presenting critical safety information on its all-glass avionic suite. The platform is favored during various missions, including utility, search and rescue and emergency medical services.
To find out more about how Bell aircraft advances missions worldwide, please visit the Bell product page or visit the Bell booth (#B4215) this week during VAI Verticon 2026.
About Bell : Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 90 years, we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can take us. We're an aerospace and defense company that engineers and manufactures aircraft for critical solutions in extreme scenarios. We're breaking barriers in lifting people to safety across transportation, medical, rescue and military services, and leading the industry in future solutions that are fast, reliable and efficient.
Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas – as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., – we have strategic locations around the globe. And with nearly one quarter of our workforce having served, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of ours. Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always, with safety at the forefront.
About Textron : Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, and Textron Systems.
Tim Evans, Managing Director, Middle East and Africa,said “Bell is proud to work with the NTCSA as they expand their utility operations with Bell aircraft. The Bell 407GXi is an ideal aircraft for utility operators across the region because it’s a multi-mission workhorse. The NTCSA is joining hundreds of operators across the world who rely on the platform for critical utility use.”
The NTCSA is a key operator of the country’s national electricity transmission grid and is responsible for building a sustainable energy future for South Africa and beyond.
Monde Bala, Chief Executive Officer - NTCSA, said “The NTCSA is eagerly anticipating the arrival of the seven new Bell 407GXi helicopters, in line with our agreement with Bell Textron Inc. As we renew and modernise our aviation fleet, their delivery could not be timelier. We are undertaking one of the largest build programmes in our history, constructing more than 14,000 kilometres of high voltage and ultra-high voltage transmission lines across the country to support new generation capacity. At the same time, maintaining the integrity of our existing transmission grid remains critical. A dependable aviation service is central to this work, and the Bell 407GXi helicopters will play a pivotal role in strengthening our operational capability”
Equipped with single-pilot Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) capability and adjustable cabin space that seats up to five crew members, the Bell 407GXi allows operators to perform in demanding environments while transporting essential equipment. The helicopter's advanced Garmin G1000H NXi Flight Deck improves situational awareness and reduces pilot workload by presenting critical safety information on its all-glass avionic suite. The platform is favored during various missions, including utility, search and rescue and emergency medical services.
To find out more about how Bell aircraft advances missions worldwide, please visit the Bell product page or visit the Bell booth (#B4215) this week during VAI Verticon 2026.
About Bell : Thinking above and beyond is what we do. For more than 90 years, we’ve been reimagining the experience of flight – and where it can take us. We're an aerospace and defense company that engineers and manufactures aircraft for critical solutions in extreme scenarios. We're breaking barriers in lifting people to safety across transportation, medical, rescue and military services, and leading the industry in future solutions that are fast, reliable and efficient.
Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas – as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Textron Inc., – we have strategic locations around the globe. And with nearly one quarter of our workforce having served, helping our military achieve their missions is a passion of ours. Above all, our breakthrough innovations deliver exceptional experiences to our customers. Efficiently. Reliably. And always, with safety at the forefront.
About Textron : Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) is a multi-industry company that leverages its global network of aircraft, defense, industrial and finance businesses to provide customers with innovative solutions and services. Textron is known around the world for its powerful brands such as Bell, Cessna, Beechcraft, Pipistrel, Jacobsen, Kautex, Lycoming, E-Z-GO, and Textron Systems.
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Bell 407GXi
