Leonardo Helicopters Eyes Brazil for Local Production Expansion

Leonardo Helicopters, a division of the Italian aerospace and defense company Leonardo, plans to establish helicopter production facilities in Brazil.

Speaking at the LAAD defense and security exhibition, Corrado Falco, Senior Vice President of International Business Development, highlighted Brazil’s strategic importance for the company.

He emphasized that local manufacturing would strengthen Leonardo’s position in the market and align with its long-term growth strategy in Latin America. Brazil represents a key opportunity for Leonardo due to its growing demand for defense and security technologies.

Currently, over 190 Leonardo helicopters operate in Brazil, serving roles in corporate transport, law enforcement, public services, offshore operations, and military applications.

To support this fleet, Leonardo has invested heavily in infrastructure, including its 80,000-square-meter Service and Logistics Centre in Itapevi.

Opened in 2021 near São Paulo, this facility can maintain up to 20 helicopters simultaneously and has increased maintenance capacity by over 50%. The center supports models like the AW119, AW109, AW139, AW169, and AW189 series.

Leonardo’s Expansion Plans

Falco revealed that Leonardo is actively seeking Brazilian partners to collaborate on local production. This approach aims to create synergies by combining Italian technology with Brazilian expertise.

Local production would also enable Leonardo to better meet customer needs while fostering innovation and job creation in Brazil. Falco underscored the importance of sharing industrial plans and technological advancements with clients to build trust and drive mutual growth.

Leonardo’s expansion plans align with strong relations between the Brazilian and Italian governments. The company already collaborates with the Brazilian Army on the Centauro II program through its subsidiary Oto Melara.

This subsidiary supplies advanced turret systems for armored vehicles. As part of this program, Leonardo is finalizing contracts for additional vehicles while addressing offset agreements critical to production.

Globally recognized as a leader in VIP helicopter markets with a 45% share of twin-engine models over the past decade, Leonardo aims to replicate this success in Brazil.

Its focus on local partnerships and investments reflects a commitment to supporting Brazil’s defense capabilities. At the same time, it aims to secure its own growth in a competitive market.