ROME, May 14 (UPI) -- Prime contractor AgustaWestland has signed a deal with Boeing for the production of Chinook helicopters being delivered to the Italian army.
U.S. company Boeing announced it will become a prime subcontractor for AgustaWestland on an approximately $1.23 billion contract with the Italian Defense Ministry. The contract is for 16 of the Boeing-designed ICH-47F Chinook twin-engine heavy-lift helicopters for the Italian army.
Under the deal, Boeing will produce the Chinook's fuselage, and AgustaWestland will be responsible for systems integration and final assembly before delivery of the helicopters to the Italian army.
"This contract continues our longstanding cooperation on the Chinook program and marks an important step forward in the successful relationship between our companies," Jack Dougherty, Boeing H-47 program vice president, said in a statement.
"We are very proud to help provide the Italian army with a new generation of multi-role helicopters."
