Leonardo today announced that its Chinese helicopter distributor Sino-US Intercontinental Helicopter Investment (Sino-US) has signed contracts for 15 AW139 helicopters. The announcement was made at the China International Import Expo in Shanghai in the presence of the Vice President of the Council of Ministers, Minister of Economic Development, Labor and Social Policies Luigi Di Maio. The helicopters will be delivered between 2019 and 2021 and used by Kingwing General Aviation (Kingwing) for helicopter rescue in China. These orders, which strengthen the collaboration between Leonardo and Sino-US in the country, are added to the various previous contracts, in particular for eliambulanze, signed by the same customer in recent years and including 34 AW119Kx, 24 AW139 and 25 AW109 Trekker.
Leonardo and Sino-US also announced the signing of a framework agreement to further strengthen the long-term partnership. With this agreement, Sino-US confirmed its role as exclusive distributor in China for helicopters for civil and commercial uses of Leonardo, with a plan to purchase and deliver additional 160 machines, of various models, during the 2019-2023 period. The agreement also provides for the construction in China of an authorized training center and the creation of a center for the customization and installation of mission equipment on Leonardo's helicopters delivered to the country.
The partnership between Leonardo and Sino-US, started in 2013, is now entering a new phase of collaboration aimed at ensuring constant support for the growing fleet of helicopters operating in China.
Alessandro Profumo, Leonardo's Managing Director, said: "By signing these contracts and the framework agreement, Leonardo confirms its leadership in the helicopter sector in China. A rapidly expanding and highly competitive market, where our state-of-the-art products perform day-to-day rescue operations in support of the Chinese population. We are pleased with this solid partnership with Sino-US. The agreement demonstrates once again the strong commitment of Leonardo in the development of support services for the increasingly numerous customers all over the world, in line with what is indicated in the business plan ".
Jianming ZOU, President of Shanghai Kingwing General Aviation Co., Ltd., said: "Leonardo is providing a world-leading product such as AW139 and has proved an extraordinary partner, supporting the expansion of our company and investing in a rapidly growing market like China ".
Leonardo's helicopters sold in China to date are 185, of various models and categories, for a wide range of commercial and public utility applications. In the helicopter service, Leonardo has a market share of 70% in the country.
With deliveries expected over the next few years, Kingwing will become one of Leonardo's largest civilian helicopter operators in the world.
