AgustaWestland, Russian Helicopters In Single Engine Helicopter Pact

AgustaWestland has signed an agreement with Russian Helicopters at Farnborough 2012 on Tuesday to design and produce a 2.5 ton class single engine helicopter. It is the first time that the Russian and a Western firm have come together to produce a new helicopter. The first model of the new civil helicopter will be made in 2015. A 20 million euro joint venture deal had been signed by the two companies in 2011 in order to assemble AW139 medium twin engine helicopters at a new plant at Tomlino near Moscow. “We are pleased to be expanding our partnership with AgustaWestland to include the development of this new light helicopter," Russian Helicopters CEO Dmitry Petrov said after signing the agreement. Russian Helicopters spokesman Roman Kirillov said on Monday that “the design of the new light helicopter does not mean the company will stop production of other light helicopters such as the Kamov Ka-226 or Mi-34”.