AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, and Chongqing Helicopter Investment (CQHIC) have signed a deal to explore potential collaboration in helicopter development in China.

Under the cooperation deal, both parties are planning to set up a joint venture in the Liangjiang New Area of Chongqing, China, and carry out the test flight of the helicopter assembled by this joint venture at the end of 2012.

CQMEG chairman Xie Huajun said the cooperation between AgustaWestland and CQHIC would inevitably boost AgustaWestland to expand into the Chinese market, and accelerate the general aviation development of Chongqing.

AgustaWestland has also struck a collaboration with Jiangxi Changhe Aviation Industries Company, an AviChina company, establishing the Change Agusta Helicopter joint venture.