The type was first shown to the outside world at the 2014 exhibition at Kish Island and there has not been much news about it since then. Close inspection for possible construction plates or other forms of identification quickly led to protests from personnel.

Unveiled in March 2017 but with a first flight the year before, all photos of the type still seem to be of this airframe, even in early 2021. It was announced in 2020 though that mass production would start within a year. If so, it would mean Iran managed to produce own versions of the French engines and Austrian transmission - a method it is familiar with out of necessity. Searching for identification was not appreciated at the exhibition.

Iran Helicopter Support and Renewal Company, also known as PANHA, is an Iranian helicopter manufacturing company. In the past, Iran bought many helicopters from Agusta and Bell. After the sanctions hit the country it became important to establish a plant for support and repair all these helicopters. This plant was named Iran Joint Helicopter Industry, later on Iran Helicopter Support and Renewal Company (IHSRC, logo carried on the fin). This Bell 206L-3 with serial I6 (India-Six, not One-Six) was one of the test helicopters of the company.