Brazilian Navy receives first naval combat H225M

Airbus helicopters has announced the delivery of the first naval combat configured Airbus H225M to the Marinha do Brasil/ Brazilian Navy on November 24.

The aircraft will be stationed at Base Aérea Naval de São Pedro da Aldeia/ Brazilian naval base in São Pedro d'Aldeia, in the state of Rio De J Janeiro, Brazil. Capable of carrying and firing the MBDA Exocet AM39 B2M2 missile, the H225M is to increase the Brazilian Navy’s mission capabilities including anti-surface warfare and maritime surveillance operations. 

H225M
Airbus H225M Serial, N-4101 flies in Brazillian Navy colours whilst carrying the MBDA Exocet AM39 B2M2 missile. Airbus/ Eny Miranda

Developed by the Brazilian subsidiary of Airbus Helicopters, Hellibras, this variant of the H225M is the most complex configuration of the multi-role helicopter to be produced. As well as carrying the AM39 B2M2 missile, the H225M is equipped with the EWS IDAS-3 countermeasure system, APS143 tactical radar, and a naval tactical data management system, which was developed via a partnership between Atech and Airbus Defence and Space.

This delivery is part of the contract signed by the Brazilian government in 2008, for the procurement of 50 H225Ms to be operated by all three-armed forces of Brazil. So far 39 H225Ms have been delivered and have all been assembled in country by Helibras.

Alberto Robles, Head of Latin America at Airbus Helicopters said: “We are very proud of this achievement, which proves the industrial and technological capability of the Airbus Helicopters teams in France and Brazil to deliver one of the most modern solutions in the world to the Brazilian Armed Forces. Designed to meet the most demanding requirements of the Brazilian Navy, the advanced anti-surface warfare and tactical capabilities open new mission capabilities for the H225M utility helicopter."