Israeli companies Elbit and Rafael are proposing to upgrade Brazilian army transport helicopters to an armed configuration.
The plan, under which transport helicopters will be equipped as anti-tank machines, was discussed earlier this month during a visit to Israel by a Brazilian delegation that included the army chief of staff.
Israeli sources say that the proposed avionics systems have been used in other helicopter conversion and upgrade programmes, including the Israeli air force's CH-53-2000 programme.
Included in the package are new mission computers, digital moving maps, helmet mounted displays/ night vision systems and multifunction displays from Elbit. Israeli Aircraft Industries' Taman division is also interested in participation in the programme, and could compete against Elbit. The rivals may be forced to work together by Israel's defence ministry. Weapons manufacturer Rafael is offering its Spike and NT-D anti-tank missiles.
Sources have not revealed the helicopters which will be upgraded, but the Brazilian army operates Eurocopter AS550 Fennecs, HB350-1 Esquilos and AS565A Dauphin helicopters as well as Sikorsky S-70A Black Hawks.
Source: Flight International
