ANKARA - Italy's rotorcraft company AgustaWestland opened its new regional business headquarters in Turkey, a statement by the company said on Sunday.
The statement said the opening ceremony has also been attended by Turkey's Defense Industry Undersecretary Murad Bayar, AgustaWestland Chief Executive Officer Giuseppe Orsi, Italian Ambassador Carlo Marsili, British Ambassador Nick Baird.
Giuseppe Orsi, CEO, AgustaWestland said, "it is a great privilege to celebrate the opening of our new business headquarters in Ankara. AgustaWestland has progressively increased its presence and share on the Turkish helicopter market in recent years and this latest step will enable us to even better support our expanding and already relevant presence in Turkey where we see significant future business opportunities. We are happy and proud to be part of the present and future of the Turkish industrial base through our products, technology and relationships."
"Through its new regional business headquarters, AgustaWestland will also manage the Tactical Reconnaissance and Attack Helicopter (ATAK) programme. The value of the contract, based on the requirement for 50 series production T129 combat helicopters, to AgustaWestland is in excess of 1 billion euros. In accordance to the agreement, Turkish Aerospace Industry is the prime contractor while additional leading Turkish aerospace companies such as Aselsan will be involved in the programme with significant industrial benefits for Turkey, including local final assembly, delivery and acceptance of the aircraft. Turkish industry will be enabled to provide the T129 with total support capability. The production and export license as well as T129 intellectual property ownership are granted," the statement said.
"AgustaWestland is proud to have had the chance to participate in the Turkish aviation's growth by collaborating with Tusas Aerospace Industries (TAI) in the past (local production of the SF260 airplanes). Moreover by the current cooperation on two of the most advanced AgustaWestland's products (the AW139 helicopter, whose fuselage is produced by TAI and delivered at a rate of three per month, and the T129), AgustaWestland is laying the foundation of a successful long term relationship," it stated.
AgustaWestland is a provider of total capability solutions in the vertical lift markets.
Through its rotorcraft systems design, development, production and integration capabilities, its experience in the training business and its customer focused Integrated Operational Support solutions, the Company delivers unrivalled mission capability to military and commercial operators around the world.
By investing in new products and partnerships, AgustaWestland is focusing on its strategic vision of being synonymous with helicopters and vertical lift.
(EÖ)