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HYDERABAD (PTI): Indian Rotorcraft, a joint venture company between Tata Sons and AgustaWestland, Thursday said it will start production from mid-2013 starting with the 8-seater AW119Ke light helicopter.

A ground breaking ceremony was held at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, marking the start of construction of a new helicopter production facility and a new step in the development of the Indian aerospace industry, a company release said.

Ratan Tata, Chairman, Tata Sons, said the project is integral to plans in the aerospace sector and he will look forward to an enduring and successful partnership with AgustaWestland for fostering the growth of the Indian aerospace sector.

Bruno Spagnolini, CEO, AgustaWestland said the new facility will be able to build helicopters for the Indian market but importantly it will supply helicopters to AgustaWestland customers around the world.

"Indian Rotorcraft will initially create jobs for more than 70 highly skilled staff who will be trained by AgustaWestland. We see great potential to expand this facility in the future to become a support centre and production centre for other helicopter types," Spagnolini said.

The facility will be capable of producing up to 30 helicopters per year and is designed to be further developed for other helicopter types, right up to the 16-ton AW101, the release added.