BRENDAN SOBIE / BEIJING
Manufacturer seeks international partner for project, which will be offered to both civilian and military customers
China Aviation Industry Corp II (AVIC II) is seeking to develop a 10,000kg (22,000lb) utility helicopter with help from a Western manufacturer.
AVIC II vice-president Liang Zhenhe says the company has just applied for Chinese government approval to add a 10,000kg helicopter to its portfolio, which already includes the 2,000kg Z-11, 4,000kg Z-9, 5,500kg Z-10 and 13,000kg Z-8.
AVIC II will later decide whether to locate production at Harbin Aircraft Industry or Changhe Aircraft Industries. Both are AVIC II subsidiaries.
The Z-10, developed by Changhe using technology purchased from AgustaWestland and Eurocopter, is the newest AVIC II helicopter, having flown for the first time in April. Liang says the test programme will run until 2006 and an international partner is also being sought to help in the project.
Several manufacturers, including AgustaWestland, Bell and Eurocopter, have expressed interest in Z-10 possible co-production and also plan to seek a partnership with AVIC II on the new 10,000kg helicopter.
"Definitely China will realise more and more helicopters and supply of helicopters will definitely pass through localisation," says Agusta sales director for Asia Fulvio Maurogiovanni. "If you don't invest now then you won't be here when the market opens."
The new helicopter, along with the Z-10 and new versions of the Z-9 and Z-11, are expected to be offered to civilian and military customers. The civilian helicopter market is only now starting to open, and about 80 helicopters are in service.
Source: Flight International