Dassault Aviation has signed a framework agreement with China Aviation Industry I (AVIC I) unit Chengdu Aircraft covering the production of fuselage parts for the French manufacturer's Falcon 2000EX business jet.
Dassault hopes that the deal will help it break into China's embryonic business jet market, which is forecast to undergo rapid expansion. "The Falcon 2000EX is today our best-seller in the USA, and we hope one day it will be the same in the skies of China," says Dassault Aviation chairman and chief executive Charles Edelstenne.
Production of the fuselage parts is due to be transferred from France to China next year, upon completion of staff training.
Some 15 affiliated AVIC I companies already manufacture a range of parts under subcontract for western companies, including Airbus and Boeing. Fairchild Dornier is also in discussion with AVIC II about 728 subcontracting.
Source: Flight International
