As part of its strategy to incorporate new capabilities, the Brazilian Army is planning the purchase of 12 new H145M multipurpose helicopters, locally produced by Helibras, with the purpose of complementing the H125M Esquilo helicopters currently in service. The initiative aims to strengthen Army Aviation through the introduction of a more versatile platform, capable of carrying out transport, light attack, and joint operation support missions, significantly expanding the operational spectrum of the force.
The acquisition of the H145M is planned within a schedule that foresees the progressive incorporation of units starting in 2028. According to Major General Everton Pacheco da Silva, head of the Army’s Strategic Project, four helicopters are expected to arrive in 2028 and another four in 2030. At the same time, Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters will also be incorporated, with the goal of consolidating a mixed fleet to meet both heavy transport demands and rapid deployment requirements in combat environments or humanitarian assistance operations.
Local production of the new helicopters will be carried out by Helibras, an Airbus subsidiary based in Itajubá (Minas Gerais), ensuring technology transfer and contributing to the strengthening of Brazil’s industrial autonomy in the field of military aviation. It is worth recalling that in 2019 the company presented a mock-up of the H145M to the Army Aviation Command in Taubaté, highlighting the model’s compatibility with the HForce weapon system and its advanced Helionix avionics suite, which optimizes mission management and raises operational safety standards.
The H145M is the military version of the MBB/Kawasaki BK 117, later modernized under the Airbus brand. Among its technical features are the shrouded Fenestron tail rotor, which reduces acoustic signature and increases safety, and its ability to carry up to 10 fully equipped soldiers. With an endurance of 3 hours and 35 minutes and a range of approximately 650 kilometers, it offers a flexible platform suitable for air assault, tactical transport, medical evacuation, and close air support missions.
Regionally, the H145M is already in service with the Ecuadorian Air Force, while internationally it has been consolidated as the UH-72 Lakota in the United States Army, where it performs advanced training and aeromedical evacuation roles. Its reliability and versatility have allowed it to become one of the most widely adopted European helicopters in military settings outside Europe.
For the Brazilian Army, the main advantage of the H145M lies in its ability to integrate with the HForce system, which enables it to serve as a light attack platform. This system supports armaments ranging from 7.62 mm and .50 BMG machine guns, to 20 mm cannons, 70 mm rockets (both guided and unguided), and air-to-air or air-to-ground missiles. Among the latter is the Israeli Spike, already in service with Brazilian ground forces. In this way, the H145M far surpasses the limitations of the H125M Esquilo, which can only be equipped with unguided medium-caliber weapons, without the capability to integrate precision weapon systems.
*Images used for illustrative purposes.-
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