Finmeccanica in 160-helicopter deal with Russia's Rostec

(ANSA) - Rome, December 31 - Finmeccanica aerospace and defense giant has entered into a strategic partnership with Russia's publicly-owned Rosneft oil company and Russian government corporation Rostec, Rosneft said Wednesday. Under the deal, wholly owned Finmeccanica firm AugustaWestland will manufacture and sell up to 160 AW189 civilian helicopters to Rosneft through 2025. The AW189 designed for offshore support will be assembled at Russia's HeliVert plant, a joint venture between AgustaWestland and a Rostec subsidiary.