Sharp Ocean Signs Contract For 2 Grand New And 1 AW119Ke

• The aircraft will be delivered to Indian private customers and used to perform VIP transport missions

(March 5, 2010) -- AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that its authorized distributor Sharp Ocean has signed a contract for two Grand New light twin helicopters and one AW119Ke single engine helicopter. The aircraft will be delivered to Indian private customers and used to perform VIP transport missions. This purchase marks the entrance of the Grand New into the Indian helicopter market and further strengthens the presence of AgustaWestland in the country adding its latest generation Grand to the successful range of commercial helicopters sold in India. The order further expands the presence of the world best selling light twin helicopter for VIP/corporate transport duties on the Indian helicopter market where AgustaWestland has already sold more than 20 light twin helicopters including the AW109 Power and Grand models. Furthermore, the AW119Ke single engine proves once more successful on the Indian market.

AgustaWestland is proud to have been doing business in India for almost 40 years and the company has seen rapid growth in the Indian commercial helicopter market in recent years for its products. Over 30 aircraft have so far been sold including the AW119Ke single engine, the AW109 Power and the Grand light twins and the AW139 medium twin. An evolution of the highly successful Grand helicopter, the Grand New features the most modern developments in avionics while retaining the outstanding Grand's characteristics. As the first light twin helicopter on the market fully compliant with the latest advanced global positioning system-based navigation requirements for all weather operations, the Grand New offers operators unprecedented opportunities for the exploitation of rotorcraft capabilities, setting a new standard. Orders for around 290 helicopters have been placed by almost 150 customers in over 30 countries worldwide, to perform a wide range of commercial and public service missions.

Source : AgustaWestland, A Finmeccanica Company (Milan: FNC.MI)