Brazilian Army Gears Up for New Attack Helicopter Fleet

The Brazilian Army is moving towards a new attempt to have an attack aviation to support ground troops.

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Throughout the history of the Brazilian Army, there has never been a helicopter dedicated exclusively to attack. Its capability has been limited to the use of the Airbus H125 Squirrel, adapted for launching 70 mm unguided rockets, as well as the use of cannons.

The closest approach to an attack aircraft that Brazil has had was with the Mil Mi-35M Hind, the export version of the Russian Mi-24V but with Western avionics, in this case from Israel. This acquisition was made as an opportunity to balance trade with Moscow, which had lifted restrictions on the import of Brazilian meat.

This aircraft was operated by the Brazilian Air Force from Boa Vista, Roraima, in support of the Amazon Surveillance System, SIVAM interception missions. However, due to the well-known Russian logistical complications, the helicopter was in operation for only 10 years and was retired from service shortly before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

At the end of the last decade, several companies presented their helicopters to the Army, including Airbus with the Tiger and TAI (Turkish Aerospace Industries), which brought to Brazil on an Ilyushin IL-76 aircraft two units of the T129 ATAK, the local version of the Italian A129 Mangusta by Leonardo, as can be seen in this video:

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Leonardo had also previously proposed the Mangusta to Brazil, being one of the favorites for a future selection, given Leonardo‘s strong presence in the country and the fact that the successor to the A129, the AW249 Fenice, is under development. This represents a great opportunity for the Army to acquire a completely new aircraft from a historical partner like Italy.

Previously, the United States offered used units of the Bell AH-1W, an offer that was rejected by the Brazilian force. Currently, the Army is once again evaluating to choose an attack helicopter, as mentioned by a force officer during the International Military Helicopter (IMH) 2024 conference, organized by DefenceIQ.

According to Colonel Marco Aurélio de Castro, Chief of Staff of the Brazilian Army Aviation Command, the force will discuss the acquisition of these aircraft at a meeting next month.

The aircraft offer great advantages for the Army, such as the ability to neutralize enemy armored vehicles and tanks, a rotary cannon for greater precision and range, reducing the possibility of collateral damage, and in the future, the launching of drones from helicopters.

News out of Brazil at @DefenceIQ #IMH24 is that it is in the market for a new attack helicopter type. Will be for the army, and will be discussed at wider meeting of army command next month… pic.twitter.com/kuFNXDUhde

— Gareth Jennings (@GarethJennings3) February 28, 2024

It is noteworthy that the Army also plans to acquire about 20 Sikorsky UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters this year to replace the Airbus H215 Super Puma and the older Blackhawks.