What Helibras does

Helibras is a Brazilian aerospace manufacturer and wholly-owned subsidiary of Airbus, headquartered in Itajubá, Minas Gerais. Founded in 1978, it is the only helicopter manufacturer in the Southern Hemisphere, producing and supporting a full range of civil and military rotorcraft under the Airbus Helicopters technology platform. Its civil portfolio spans the H125, H130, H135, H145, H160, H175, and H225 models, while military variants include HForce and dedicated M-series airframes (H125M, H135 military training, H145M, H160M, H175M, H225M). These aircraft are sold to operators serving air taxi, search and rescue, emergency medical services, offshore transport, VIP/executive transport, and defense missions. Named enterprise customers include Helisul and the Rio de Janeiro State Government (SOAer), which operates HEMS missions.

Helibras generates revenue through capital hardware sales of helicopters, complemented by a comprehensive after-sales services stack. The services business includes line, intermediate, and heavy maintenance; modernization and retrofit solutions (over 150 standardized kits based on Service Bulletins and STCs); ANAC-certified training at two centers (Itajubá and Rio de Janeiro) with Full Flight Simulators for H225/H225M; and 7/365 technical support through its customer support center and the AirbusWorld portal. The company distributes through a regional direct sales force covering Brazilian territories and dedicated government and executive market segments, while accessing Airbus Helicopters' global network of approximately 30 customer centers and over 100 MRO service centers for cross-border support.

Underlying the product portfolio is Airbus Helicopters' rotorcraft technology, including the Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, bearingless main rotor architectures (Starflex/Spheriflex/BMR), the Helionix four-axis autopilot, the VEMD multifunction display, and the experimental Eagle-Eye image-based autonomous approach and landing system. Helibras holds a dense certification stack covering Brazilian (ANAC RBAC 21/145/142), North American (FAA Part 145), European (EASA Part 145), UK CAA Part 145, Canadian TCCA Part 145, NATO (AQAP 2110), and military (DMAvEx/DAerM/DIRMAB) regimes, along with ISO 9001:15, AS 9100 quality, and LGPD data protection compliance.

Name

Helibras

Legal name

Helibras

Website

https://helibras.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1978

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Helibras is the only helicopter manufacturer in the Southern Hemisphere and a wholly-owned Airbus subsidiary, producing civil and military rotorcraft and providing MRO, modernization, and training services to Brazilian and Latin American operators.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Helicopter Manufacturing

NAICS

Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance (811210)

SIC

Aircraft (3721), Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft Parts & Auxiliary Equipment, Nec (3728)

akta.pro primary industry

Civil/Commercial Helicopter Manufacturing (IMABABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Military/Defense Helicopter Manufacturing (IMABABAB), Military Aircraft MRO & Depot Maintenance (IMABALAN), Parts & Materials Support (Rotables Pooling, Distribution, Repair Management) (TLAKAJAK)

Keywords

• Civil helicopter manufacturing
• Military helicopter manufacturing
• Helicopter maintenance services
• Pilot training services
• Helicopter modernization

Headquarters

HQ city

Itajubá

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Helicopter Sales (Civil): Sale of civil helicopters including H125, H130, H135, H145, H160, H175, and H225 models. Civil helicopters serve air taxi, search and rescue, aero-medical, cargo transport, and passenger transport operations.
2. Helicopter Sales (Military): Sale of military helicopters including HForce, H125M, H135 for military training, H145M, H160M, H175M, and H225M. Military helicopters designed for complex missions to protect, save, and serve society.
3. Maintenance and Modernization Services: Provides various levels of maintenance and modernization services including line maintenance, intermediate maintenance, and heavy maintenance. Offers over 150 standard modernization solutions based on Service Bulletins and Supplemental Type Certificates (STC), as well as customized modernization kits.
4. Training Services: Training services provided at two ANAC-certified training centers in Rio de Janeiro and Itajubá. Offers type rating, recurrent training, mission training (SAR, NVG, etc.) for pilots, mechanics, and aviation personnel. Has trained over 17,000 students.
5. HCare Support Services: Comprehensive support services including technical support, publications, customer assistance. Available through Customer Support Center 7/365 and AirbusWorld portal for online requests and tracking.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Helibras manufactures and sells civil and military helicopters (H125, H130, H135, H145, H160, H175, H225 civil and HForce, H125M, H135 Military Training, H145M, H160M, H175M, H225M military variants), together with Airbus Corporate Helicopters for VIP transport. The company also delivers integrated lifecycle support: ANAC-certified pilot and mechanic training at two centers in Brazil, full line-to-heavy maintenance and modernization (over 150 standardized solutions), and 7/365 technical support through a Customer Support Center and the AirbusWorld portal.

Product overview

Helibras is the only helicopter manufacturer in the Southern Hemisphere, operating as a Brazilian subsidiary of Airbus. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of civil and military helicopters spanning from light single-engine (H125, H130) to heavy twin-engine (H225, H225M) aircraft. Civil helicopters include the H125, H130, H135, H145, H160, H175, and H225 serving missions such as air taxi, search and rescue, emergency medical services, offshore transport, and VIP transport. Military variants include the HForce mission system and dedicated military versions (H125M, H135 Military Training, H145M, H160M, H175M, H225M) for transport, training, and special operations. Supporting the helicopter fleet, Helibras provides training center services (with ANAC-certified simulators), maintenance and modernization solutions, and technical support through AirbusWorld. The company also offers Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH) for executive transport. The product portfolio is unified under the Airbus Helicopters brand, sharing common technologies including Helionix avionics, Fenestron tail rotors, and advanced autopilot systems.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• H125 Helicopter Light single-engine utility helicopter from the Airbus Helicopters range used for civil missions including air taxi, search and rescue, aero-medical, cargo, and passenger transport; military counterpart marketed as H125M.
• H130 Helicopter Civil single-engine helicopter with an exceptionally spacious cabin and low vibration/noise levels, designed for passenger transport, emergency medical services, VIP transport, and tourism operations.
• H135 Helicopter Versatile light twin-engine helicopter serving civil missions including emergency medical services, police operations, and passenger transport.
• H145 Helicopter Compact twin-engine multirole helicopter serving civil missions including search and rescue, emergency medical services, and VIP transport, featuring Fenestron tail rotor technology.
• H160 Helicopter Next-generation medium-lift helicopter designed for civil missions including search and rescue, emergency medical services, offshore operations, and VIP transport.
• H175 Helicopter Medium twin-engine helicopter serving civil missions including offshore operations, search and rescue, and passenger transport.
• H225 Helicopter Heavy twin-engine helicopter serving civil missions including offshore transport, search and rescue, and law enforcement operations.
• HForce Mission System Modular mission equipment system enabling military operations with configurable weapons and sensor systems, deployable across the H125M, H135, H145M, and H160M platforms.
• H125M Military Helicopter Military version of the H125 for light transport and utility operations, military training, and reconnaissance missions.
• H135 Military Training Helicopter Military training variant of the H135 configured for pilot training and instructional missions.
• H145M Military Helicopter Military version of the H145 for transport, search and rescue, and special operations missions.
• H160M Military Helicopter Military version of the H160 for naval and land-based military operations including anti-submarine warfare and reconnaissance.
• H175M Military Helicopter Military variant of the H175 for transport, search and rescue, and maritime patrol operations.
• H225M Military Helicopter Military version of the H225 for naval operations, search and rescue, and tactical transport missions.
• Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH) Airbus brand under Helibras offering VIP and executive helicopter transport solutions with customized interiors and dedicated customer service for corporate and premium travel.
• Helibras Training Center (Centro de Treinamento) ANAC-certified pilot, mechanic, and technician training delivered at two centers in Rio de Janeiro and Itajubá, including type rating, recurrent, mission-specific (SAR, NVG, etc.), and Full Flight Simulator training on H225/H225M. More than 17,000 students trained.
• Helicopter Maintenance and Modernization Services Comprehensive maintenance services (line, intermediate, heavy maintenance) plus modernization and retrofit solutions for the full helicopter line, delivered at Helibras facilities or at the customer's operating base; catalog includes more than 150 standardized modernization solutions based on Service Bulletins and Supplemental Type Certificates (STC) and customized modernization kits.
• HCare Technical Support Services Comprehensive technical support including 9 field technical representatives, technical publications, and 7/365 Customer Support Center access, with online Technical Request tracking via the AirbusWorld portal.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 17,000 students trained at Helibras training centers
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Airbus GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerHelibras is a Brazilian company and part of the Airbus Group, the world leader in aerospace and related defense services. As a subsidiary of Airbus, Helibras has access to Airbus Helicopters' global technology platform, training network (23 centers worldwide, 26 full flight simulators), and maintenance infrastructure (approximately 30 Customer Centers and over 100 MRO service centers globally).

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Airbus Helicopters: Global helicopter division of Airbus and Helibras's direct parent organization. Airbus Helicopters shares the same civil and military product lines (H125/H130/H135/H145/H160/H175/H225 family and military variants), proprietary technologies (Helionix, Fenestron, VEMD), and global supply chain, making it the most directly comparable peer for Helibras.
• Leonardo Helicopters: Leonardo (formerly AgustaWestland) is one of the world's largest helicopter OEMs with AW109, AW139, AW189, AW249, and T129 platforms. Leonardo has an active commercial and industrial presence in Brazil and competes directly with Helibras in civil, EMS, offshore, and military rotorcraft tenders across Latin America.
• MD Helicopters: MD Helicopters manufactures light single- and twin-engine helicopters (MD 500, MD 530F, MD 902 Explorer). It competes directly with the H125 in light utility and law-enforcement/EMS segments and is an alternative single-engine rotorcraft option for Brazilian public-service and military customers.
• Sikorsky (Lockheed Martin): Sikorsky produces the Black Hawk (UH-60), Seahawk (MH-60), CH-53K, and S-76 families. Sikorsky is a direct competitor to Helibras in heavy-lift and naval helicopters — overlapping with H225/H225M and H175M — and is a recurring bidder in Brazilian and broader Latin American military modernization programs.
• Bell (Bell Flight): Bell manufactures a comprehensive range of civil and military helicopters including the Bell 407, 412, 429, 525, and V-22 tiltrotor. Bell is a direct global rotorcraft competitor to Helibras/Airbus across light twin-engine, military trainer, and SAR segments, and is an active bidder in Brazilian and Latin American defense and public-service tenders.
• Robinson Helicopter: Robinson is the world's largest civil helicopter manufacturer (R22, R44, R66). Robinson competes head-to-head with the Airbus/Helibras H125 in the light single-engine civil helicopter segment and influences entry-level civil helicopter pricing in Brazil and across Latin America.

Emerging players

• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL): India's state-owned aerospace OEM produces the Dhruv (ALH), LCH, Light Utility Helicopter, and military rotorcraft. HAL is a state-backed competitor with growing export ambitions in emerging markets and represents an alternative supplier source in Latin American public-service and military tenders.
• Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI): KAI is South Korea's flagship rotorcraft developer, producing the KUH-1 Surion and pursuing a Light Civil Helicopter program. KAI represents an emerging rotorcraft competitor seeking international defense and civil export markets, including potential entry into Latin American tenders.
• AVICopter (AVIC): AVICopter is China's state-owned helicopter OEM producing the AC311, AC312, AC313 and Z-10/Z-19 military rotorcraft. AVICopter is an emerging player pursuing international defense rotorcraft opportunities and could become a low-cost alternative in select LatAm markets over time.

Broad incumbents

• Russian Helicopters: Russian Helicopters (part of Rostec) manufactures the Mi-8/Mi-17, Mi-28, Ka-32, Ka-52 and Ansat families for civil and military markets. Although historically limited in Brazil, Russian Helicopters is a global rotorcraft OEM and potential source of price-aggressive competition in select LatAm defense markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/Helibras/?locale=pt_BR
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/helibras
• Instagraminstagram.com/helibras
• Xx.com/helibras

Compliance12 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Helibras