Beijing Automotive buys 50 helicopters

AgustaWestland family flying in formation

Beijing Automotive Industrial Corporation (BAIC) in China has signed a multi-year contract with AgustaWestland for the purchase of 50 various helicopter models, including the AW139, AW169 and AW189.

Deliveries are scheduled to start in mid-2015 and continue through to 2019. The contract, which includes training, spare parts and technical support is valued around €400 million, excluding customer selected options and mission equipment.

The contract was signed in Rome by BGAC Chairman Xu Heyi and Finmeccanica CEO and MD Mauro Moretti in the presence of China’s Prime Minister Li Keqiang and Italy’s Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

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More than 60 AgustaWestland helicopters had been sold to Chinese customers prior to this latest contract to satisfy a range of mission requirements, including law enforcement, rescue, disaster relief, firefighting, public utility, patrol, environmental monitoring, harbour pilot shuttle, VIP and passenger transport duties.

The contract includes various types of helicopters, ranging from the single engine AW119Kx to the AW189 super medium helicopter.

BAIC is a the fourth largest state owned automotive  company in China., and is entering the  aviation business through its subsidiary Beijing General Aviation Co. Ltd. (BGAC).