Brazil to Build Helicopters in Joint Venture with Eurocopter

The Presidents of Brazil and France celebrated the signing of a contract to purchase 50 EC725 helicopters. Eurocopter and Helibras will form a joint venture to produce, assemble and maintain the aircraft in Brazil GlobalSecurity.org reports. The EC725 is a modern, medium lift aircraft that will be used by Brazil's military. For more on that aircraft see this from Eurocopter. The investment in this contract will significantly expand Helibras' capability to produce aircraft. This contract ties in with the modernization and expansion of the Brazilian military and industrial base as discussed by President Lula here in an article at The Hindustan Times.