Russia’s Oboronprom has clinched a €40-million deal with Italian AgustaWestland for the license assembly of AW139 helicopters. UTair airline that signed the intention protocol for 35 to 49 helicopters will probably become the first client.

Heads of Oboronprom and AgustaWestland (member of Finmeccanica) sealed yesterday an agreement to set up a venture that will assemble AW139 helicopters in Russia. The ceremony was attended by Russia’s President Dmitry Medvedev and Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi.

Vertolety Rossii (Helicopters of Russia) that is the 100-percent subsidiary of Oboronprom will have 50 percent in the undertaking and AgustaWestland will own the remainder. The facilities will be constructed from scratch in the Moscow Region’s Panki. The investment budget stands at €40 million, but each party will contribute no more than €5 million to €6 million in cash. The remaining worth will be covered by the license of AgustaWestland and the allotment and equipment provided by Oboronprom.

AgustaWestland A139 has been produced since 2003; its catalogue worth is roughly $8.5 million. This helicopter of roughly 6.4-ton takeoff weight is capable of carrying up to 15 passengers or 2.8 tons of cargo.

Under the agreement, the distributor set up by Oboronprom and AugustaWestland will sell helicopters in CIS, but AgustaWestland itself will do it in other states.

UTair airline that signed an intention protocol for 35 to 49 helicopters will probably become the first client, representatives of Oboronprom said. According to the sources with Vertolety Rossii, the contract budget will be from €300 million to €500 million and the plans are to set to supplies in 2011. Anyway, the actual sale of the helicopters will mostly depend on investment programs of oil companies that ensure the greatest portion of demand for this kind of aircraft.

Source >  Kommersant | nov 07

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