Israeli technology extends life of Brazilian helicopters

Israeli technology extends life of Brazilian helicopters

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800 - Brazilian helicopterIsraeli technology will help the Brazilian Airforce extend the operational life span of some of its helicopters.

Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) is offering to upgrade the helicopters of the Brazilian Defense forces. The negotiations, carried out through Avionics Services, the Israeli company’s local subsidiary, focus on the types that were not manufactured by Helibras, a Brazilian based helicopter subsidiary of Airbus Helicopters.

IAI sources said that the planned upgrades may include models Mi-24, Mi-35, UH-60L, UH-1H and Bell 206.

European Advanced Technology (EAT), an IAI subsidiary, acquired in 2014 minority holdings in the Brazilian subsidiary, located in Sao Paulo. The acquisition was made in the framework of IAI’s strategic expansion into the Brazilian defense market.

The collaboration agreement aims mainly at defense and public security projects, primarily for the Brazilian market, a market that according to IAI has a large growth potential. Later on projects from international markets may be included.

Avionics Services provides solutions for projects involving equipment and avionics systems for civil and military fixed and rotary wing aircraft, as well as for simulators. The company is defined as a strategic defense company (EED-Empresa Estrategica de Defesa) – a unique status granted by the Brazilian Ministry of Defense.

Joseph Weiss, IAI’s President and CEO talked of the Brazilian market as “strategic” and said the manufacturer intends to expand its activities to “this important region.” João B. Vernini, CEO of Avionics Services said about the collaboration agreement that “together we will enjoy an enhanced access to the Brazilian market.”