AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that Exclases Holdings Ltd. has signed a contract for a GrandNew light twin helicopter in VIP transport configuration for operation in Russia. This latest contract brings to five the number of GrandNew helicopters sold in Russia in the last seven months, highlighting the outstanding success of the type in this important market. The GrandNew features the most modern developments in avionics while retaining the outstanding characteristics of the Grand. The GrandNew is the first type certified light twin (CS/JAR/FAR 27) to enter service with a new EFIS featuring Synthetic Vision and the first helicopter in this class on the market fully compliant with the latest advanced global positioning system-based navigation requirements for all weather operations. The fastest helicopter in the light twin category, the GrandNew also features the largest and most comfortable cabin in its class.

The combination of world-class technology, performance, comfort and safety standards allow a unique flying experience and make the GrandNew the ideal solution for VIP/corporate transport missions. AgustaWestland offers its GrandNew customers comprehensive support and training packages to maximize operational effectiveness and safety while keeping operating costs low. Orders for more than 330 helicopters from the Grand series have been placed by over 200 customers in nearly 40 countries worldwide, to perform many missions including VIP/corporate transport, passenger transport, EMS, SAR, harbour pilot shuttle, maritime patrol, law enforcement and water pollution monitoring.

AgustaWestland has achieved growing success in the Russian commercial helicopter market in recent years with the most modern range of dedicated products including the AW119 single engine, the AW109 Power and Grand/GrandNew light twins, the AW139 intermediate twin and the very latest AW169 4.5-tonne class and the AW189 8-tonne class helicopters, particularly for corporate transport and utility purposes. Over 40 AgustaWestland new generation commercial helicopters have already been sold in Russia in just ten years, with over 30 of those sales being achieved in the last five years. More than 20 AgustaWestland helicopters are already in service in Russia today. AgustaWestland is also expanding the availability of support services available to customers in Russia, via an increasing number of authorized service stations providing maintenance and spare parts for its growing customer base across the nation.