Russian helicopter maker sets up China plant

New York Statesman (IANS) Monday 6th February, 2012

Russian helicopter maker Rostvertol has partnered with a Chinese firm to set up a plant in northern China, authorities said.

The plant will be capable of manufacturing 100 lightweight civil Mi-2A helicopters annually, the government and the company reported Monday.

Construction of the plant, located near Beijing in Hebei Province, will be completed by the end of July, officials said, adding that the plant will also serve as a repair hub for Russia's Mi-series choppers in the Asian region, reported Xinhua.

The investment for the first phase of the plant, spread across 47 hectares, was estimated at 1.4 billion yuan ($224 million), Rostvertol's Chinese partner Hebei Xi'Ao Aeroplane Manufacturing Co. Ltd. said on its website.