RIA Novosti reports that, as Sergey Chemezov noted at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, if this consolidation takes place, the resulting company will become the largest helicopter manufacturer in the world.

Denis Manturov, Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation, noted as far back as February 2013 that the Ministry was considering the possibility of attracting a strategic partner for Russian Helicopters. According to the Minister, this possibility was considered along with IPO, and it would take a year and a half or two years to attract a strategic partner.

The Russian Helicopters holding company actively cooperates with AgustaWestland on the AW-139 helicopter, which could be seen at the HeliRussia-2014 International Helicopter Exhibition, as well as in the joint development of a light helicopter of up to 2.5 tons. Rostec conducted negotiations with AgustaWestland about strategic partnership at the MAKS-2013 International Aviation and Space Salon.

The AW139 is the only helicopter in its weight category equipped with an integrated anti-icing system, capable of reaching a speed of 309 km/h. The AW139 can transport cargoes of up to 2.5 tons to a distance of 750 km. It is used in search and rescue operations, firefighting and passenger transportation. This helicopter is also used as a basis for developing models with high-comfort interiors to meet business aviation needs.

The Russian Helicopters holding company is the sole helicopter designer and manufacturer in Russia and is one of the few companies in the world that have capabilities for the design, production, testing and maintenance of modern civil and military helicopters. The company is part of the Rostec State Corporation.

AgustaWestland is a British-Italian company, the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer, and is part of Finmeccanica.