LAWS BACKS NEW CIVIL HELICOPTER FOR WESTLAND: POTENTIALLY “HISTORIC” STEP
David Laws, MP for Yeovil Constituency, has today welcomed an announcement this week from AgustaWestland of the launch of a new civil helicopter - the AW 169 - which could be built in Yeovil. This would be the first major civil helicopter to be produced in Yeovil, and would mark a significant step to diversify the company from its traditional expertise in the military helicopter market. The AW169 would be used as an air ambulance, by the police and other emergency services, for search and rescue, and as a commercial helicopter, carrying up to 10 passengers.
The aircraft was launched at the Farnborough Airshow this week by AgustaWestland, in the presence of Business Secretary, Vince Cable MP. David Laws also attended the launch. David Laws and Graham Cole, Westland's Managing Director, recently visited Dr. Cable to ask for Government backing for the AW169 project.
David Laws MP said:
"This was an historic day, which could lead to the development of a whole new area of helicopter business for Westland in Yeovil.
"Westland has traditionally focused on the military helicopter market, but diversification of this kind could help to protect jobs and key engineering expertise at a time when the Ministry of Defence's budget is going to be under a lot of pressure.
"The new helicopter has already won many admirers, and the global market could be for as many as 1000 aircraft over 20 years.
"Work on design and development is now due to come to Yeovil, and if we win enough UK orders there is the real potential for starting a production line in our area, which would be a hugely important achievement. I will do everything I can to support this initiative, which is crucial to the economy of Yeovil and South Somerset in the future."
ENDS.
Category: MP Press Releases
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