Eurocopter chief foresees development of new helicopter in Brazil

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By Kieran Daly

Eurocopter's chief executive expects to see the company's Brazilian subsidiary Helibras design and build a new helicopter from scratch within the next decade.

Lutz Bertling says the 70%-owned business has the opportunity to build on its ground-breaking deal to produce and support 50 EC725 medium-lift machines for the Latin American market.

Speaking at the show, Bertling said: "Ten years from now Helibras will not only double its workforce and turnover but might have their own product produced and designed in Brazil.

"We need to use the current contract to build our capabilities there. The EC725 will give us the opportunity to build that up."

He said it was not yet clear what class of machine might be built there, commenting: "It is a few years to go to decide which one it will be."

Answering questions he stressed that Helibras was "a strategic defence company in Brazil" and there was no question of it becoming a shareholder in Eurocopter alongside EADS.