MOSCOW, November 6 (RIA Novosti) - Russia's Oboronprom Corporation and Italy's AgustaWestland signed on Thursday an agreement to set up a joint venture to assemble AW139 helicopters in Russia.

"The JV central office and the assembly line will be located outside Moscow," the Russian corporation said, adding that the helicopters produced in Russia would be sold primarily in Russia and the CIS, although they would be marketed worldwide through AgustaWestland's international network.

AgustaWestland previously said the joint venture would meet growing demand and consolidate the company's foothold in the CIS market.

Oboronprom, a subsidiary of Rosonboronexport, Russia's state-run arms exporter, earlier said Russian helicopter manufacturers would gain access to new production technology and maintenance standards.

The AW139 is a medium twin-engine helicopter with a takeoff weight of 6.4 metric tons. It can carry up to 15 passengers and be used as a corporate or VIP vehicle, as well as in offshore, emergency, rescue and firefighting operations.

AgustaWestland, part of Finmeccanica Group, is one of the world's largest helicopter manufacturers with production centers in Italy, Britain and the United States.