One Chinese and one US aircraft company will cooperate to produce 200 light helicopters annually from 2007, according to an agreement signed by the two firms on Sunday.

The agreements provides that the Chinese company, Jiangxi Changhe Aviation Industry Co., Ltd, will produce parts for and assemble 200 S300C and S300CBI helicopters, which are two or three-seat piston helicopters used mainly for training, patrolling or scouting, for the US-based Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation from next year.

This is not the first time that the two companies are working together. The Jiangxi-based Chinese company has been producing parts for medium-sized S-92 helicopters for Sikorsky since 1995.

Sikorsky, based in Connecticut, designs and manufactures advanced helicopters for commercial, industrial and military use. Its 2005 revenues were US$ 2.8 billion.

(Xinhua News Agency October 30, 2006)