Leonardo signs 17 helicopter deal with Sino-US

Leonardo Helicopters signed a deal with Chinese helicopter operator and sales firm Sino-US Intercontinental for 17 new helicopters, valued around  €100 million ($114 million) at the Paris Air Show.

The Chinese operator placed an order for two AW119Kx, 10 AW109 Trekker and five AW139s. The helicopters are expected to start deliveries this year.

The deal also includes a purchase of additional aircraft in the next three years.

This order looks to cement Sino-US as an exclusive distributor for Chinese civil, commercial and offshore helicopter markets.

Sino-US has ordered almost 100 helicopters, comprising entirely Leonardo models, helping the company establish one of the largest EMS helicopter programmes in China.