Agusta and Denel Aviation yesterday signed an agreement covering production of the 30 A109 light utility helicopters ordered for the South African Air Force.
Denel is to manufacture the complete A109 airframe and undertake systems installation in South Africa. The agreement is likely to be extended within a matter of days to cover licence production and sale of the A119 Koala.
Agreement
The product supply agreement, signed with South Africa's defence acquisition agency Armscor, will give Denel responsibility for integration of sub-systems, manufacture, final assembly, customisation engineering and flight testing of 25 of the 30-aircraft total. The first five helicopters will be produced and assembled in Italy.
"The production under licence of the A119 Koala will grant South Africa's aerospace industry, and in particular Denel, additional benefits allowing it to enter the civil market in the long term," says Denel deputy chief executive Max Sisulu.
Agusta chairman Amedeo Caporaletti adds: "Denel has developed outstanding capabilities in aerospace technologies and Agusta is looking forward to a long and mutually beneficial collaboration, not only on this programme, but also in the global commercial market."
Further agreements are likely with South African aerospace companies such as Tellumat and African Defence Systems, to take a share of the work.
Source: Flight Daily News