Russian Helicopters, a subsidiary of Oboronprom, part of State Corporation Rostec, and AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, are pleased to announce that they have signed a Heads of Agreement at the MAKS 2013 air show defining the joint design and development programme for a new 2.5-tonne class single-engine helicopter. The agreement was signed byDaniele Romiti, CEO of AgustaWestland, and Russian Helicopters CEO Dmitry Petrov.

The preliminary assessment of the helicopter’s technical design and commercial opportunities is expected to be completed in the next few months. The programme, first announced by the partners in summer 2012, is intended to be shared on a 50/50 basis, with the new helicopter being designed for the worldwide market and a wide range of applications.

Dmitry Petrov, CEO of Russian Helicopters, said: “This agreement is a new step in the mutually beneficial cooperation between our companies. Russian Helicopters as a global rotorcraft market player is actively involved in international projects on manufacturing localization and the development of new helicopter models. Our cooperation with AgustaWestland is moving forward successfully and has become one of our key priorities.”

Daniele Romiti, AgustaWestland CEO said: “This agreement with Russian Helicopters expands our successful partnership which started with the establishment of the joint venture HeliVert, for the local assembly of the best selling AW139 model. We are delighted to be progressing to the next stage of this programme covering the design and development stages. The soon to be completed technical and market assessment will allow us to define the basis for a modern, cost/effective product to successfully compete globally.”

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AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is a major force in commercial and military helicopter markets around the world and offers an unrivalled range of helicopters, training and support solutions to satisfy customer’s mission requirements. AgustaWestland’s main facilities are located in Italy, the United Kingdom, Poland and the United States of America.

Russian Helicopters, JSC is a subsidiary of UIC Oboronprom, which in turn is a part of State CorporationRostec. It is one of the global leaders in helicopter production and the only helicopter design and production powerhouse in Russia. Russian Helicopters is headquartered in Moscow. The company comprises five helicopter production facilities, two design bureaus, a spare parts production and repair facility, as well as an aftersale service branch responsible for maintenance and repair in Russia and all over the world. Its helicopters are popular among Russian ministries and state authorities (Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Emergency Control Ministry), operators (Gazpromavia, UTair), major Russian corporations. Over 8000 helicopters of Soviet/Russian make are operated in 110 countries worldwide. Traditionally the demand is highest in the Middle East, Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Russia, and CIS countries. Russian Helicopters was established in 2007. In 2012 its IFRS revenues increased 21% to RUB 125,7billion. Deliveries reached 290 helicopters.

UIC Oboronprom, JSC is a multi-profile industrial and investment group established in 2002. It is a part of Russian Technologies State Corporation. Its main tasks include: helicopter engineering (Russian Helicopters, JSC) and engine-building (United Engine Industry Corporation managing company).

Rostekhnologii State Corporation (Rostec) is a Russian corporation established in 2007 in order to facilitate the development, manufacturing and export of high-technology industrial products of military and civil purposes. Today it comprises over 663 companies, which form 8 military-industrial and 5 civil industry holdings. Rostec’s subsidiaries are located in 60 regions of Russia and supply their products to over 70 countries worldwide. In 2012 revenues of the Corporation amounted to RUB 931 billion, net profits were RUB 38.5 billion and total taxation exceeded RUB 109 billion.