Rio Grande do Sul Military Brigade acquires two new helicopters

The Rio Grande do Sul Military Brigade (BMRS) has expanded its aerial fleet with the addition of two new helicopters: an Airbus H125 B3 Esquilo and a Leonardo AW119Kx Koala. The acquisition, costing over R$ 70 million, was funded by the Rio Grande Plan Fund (Funrigs) and the Fund for the Reconstitution of Damaged Assets (FRBL) of the Rio Grande do Sul Public Ministry.

The new aircraft are intended to strengthen security operations, search and rescue missions, and medical evacuations. The Esquilo model will support preventive and repressive policing, judicial orders, and aerial reconnaissance. The Koala model features advanced equipment, including a rescue winch, searchlight, rappelling kit, and a Flir Star Safire380-HD thermal imaging system to assist in low-visibility environments.

Governor Eduardo Leite noted that the state aims to increase the total number of helicopters available to security forces, including the Fire Department, to 13 by the end of his second term. This investment follows the need for enhanced aerial capabilities demonstrated during the severe climate events that affected the state in 2023 and 2024.