Brazil Plans to Localize Production of H145M Helicopters to Replace H125 Esquilo

H145M with .50 BMG machine gun

Brazil is planning to localize the production of H145M multi-role helicopters to replace the currently operated H125 Esquilo helicopters in the country’s armed forces, according to a report by Army Recognition.

The new helicopters are expected to be involved in a wide range of missions — from personnel transport to fire support and participation in joint operations. The localization efforts may be undertaken by the Brazilian company Helibras (a subsidiary of the French firm Airbus), which already manufactures various European helicopter models in Brazil.

The key advantage of the H145M over the H125 Esquilo for Brazil lies in its full compatibility with the HForce weapon system. This includes 7.62 mm and .50 BMG machine guns, 20 mm cannons, 70 mm unguided and guided rockets, as well as Spike missiles. In contrast, the H125 was only equipped with unguided rockets and lacked the capability to integrate high-precision systems currently in service with the Brazilian Army.

Deliveries of the H145M helicopters to the Brazilian armed forces are scheduled to begin in 2028. Over a two-year period, the country is expected to receive eight units of this model. In parallel with the H145M deliveries, Brazil will also begin integrating American Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters (supplied from U.S. Army reserves last year), which will be tasked with rapid response operations as part of the heavy air transport fleet.