Agreement between Romania’s IAR Brasov and Eurocopter has been reached for the creation of a joint venture company, Eurocopter Romania. The agreement sets down the guiding principles and the goals for the activities of the new company, which will be incorporated in the first six months of 2001.

A company spokesman said: “This signature coincides with the 30th anniversary of the cooperation linking IAR Brasov and Eurocopter. The main focus of this cooperation has been on the production of helicopters – the Alouette III in 1970 and the Puma in 1974 – to satisfy both the Romanian government and export needs.”

He added: “One role of the new subsidiary will be to satisfy the needs for the renewal and the support of the helicopter fleet operating in Romania, with the backing of Eurocopter’s entire product range.”