Airbus Helicopters and Avicopter will market the EC175 (pictured) and AC532 in global and Chinese markets respectively. (Andrew McLaughlin)
Airbus helicopters and China’s Avicopter (part of AVIC) have signed a joint production agreement for 1,000 EC175 and AC532 helicopters.
The 20-year agreement formalises the production arrangement for the EC175/AC532 which was jointly developed by the two countries from a common platform. Under the agreement AVIC will produce the AC532 for the Chinese market, while Airbus Helicopters will offer the EC175 to the global market.
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“Today’s agreement results from several years of close collaboration between our teams. It sets the stage for an unprecedented full-scale production framework by both partners and adds a new dimension to the relationship with Avicopter,” said Airbus Helicopters CEO Guillaume Faury.
Li Fangyong, AVIC Executive Vice President added; “The production contract’s signature will allow both of us to satisfy the Chinese and worldwide market needs in the medium helicopter segment. This also puts Avicopter’s production resources to work in the aviation industry’s global industrial chain.”
Both machines will be used for the offshore support role, VIP and executive transport, search & rescue and other missions. The EC175 was certified by EASA in February and is due to enter service later this year.
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