Aims To Modernize Libya's Aircraft Fleet

Finmeccanica, AgustaWestland and the Libyan Company for Aviation Industry announced Tuesday they have signed an agreement to form a joint venture called the Libyan Italian Advanced Technology Company (LIATEC). The joint-venture will be half-owned by the Libyan Company for Aviation Industry, with Finmeccanica and AgustaWestland holding 25 percent each.

According to LIATEC representatives, under terms of the deal the two Italian shareholders will provide training, technology and equipment to the once-troublesome Mediterranean country (while diplomatic relationships have warmed considerably in recent years, it wasn't all that long ago that Libya openly supported terrorism), while the Libyan shareholder will mainly invest in infrastructure, plant and local marketing activities.

LIATEC's headquarters have been set up in Tripoli. Utilizing start-up funds made available by all partners, the company will invest in the aeronautics technology and electronics systems of most interest to Libya.

According to the company's development plan, the first task will be to develop the capacity necessary to make Libya's aircraft fleet more efficient, as well as modernizing Libya's existing fleets of helicopters and aircraft.

To that end, AgustaWestland also announced Tuesday the sale of ten A109 Power helicopters (file photo of type, below) for the Libyan border patrol, as part of a program that is worth a total EUR 80 million. The price includes equipment and services needed to train operators of the helicopters.

To ensure that future fleets are maintained, the consortium will also set up a training center open to all Libyan flight and maintenance personnel, as well as a production assembly line in Tripoli.

LIATEC will also operate as a supplier of Libyan agencies responsible for procuring helicopters, medium-sized and light aircraft, electronics security systems and land-based infrastructure. The company will have commercial rights to sell helicopters assembled locally in a number of African countries.

"This technological and industrial co-operation will provide a great boost to the Libyan economy, and will in particular offer more employment opportunities to the young graduates of the country's technical colleges and universities," said LIATEC representatives.

The deliveries of the first two A109s are expected at the end of 2006, and the beginning of 2007.

FMI: www.agustawestland.com