AgustaWestland signs £1bn helicopter deal

The AW101 aircraft will be assembled at AgustaWestland's Yeovil facility in the UK. The contract also includes an option for six further helicopters. Deliveries to the Royal Norwegian Air Force, which will fly and operate the helicopters on search and rescue missions, will start in 2017 and continue through to 2020. As part of the contract, a fifteen year "turnkey" support solution will be delivered, comprising spares and technical support and training services, with an option for it to be extended for a further five years. Prime Minister David Cameron said: "This £1bn deal between AgustaWestland and the Norwegian Government is testament to the first class engineering skills we have right across the UK, while highlighting that this Government's long-term economic plan is working. "Safeguarding over 3000 jobs across their Yeovil plant and many more across the SME supply chain, this is a hugely significant order which demonstrates why drumming up jobs and investment for our country from overseas investors is crucial to rebalancing the UK economy." He added: "We've got our sights focused on helping more innovative British firms across the country compete in the global race and ensuring that more people share in our economic success."