The construction of a Russian-Italian joint helicopter assembly facility will begin on Tuesday in the town of Tomilino outside Moscow, Russian Helicopters has said.

Russia's Oboronprom Corporation and Italy's AgustaWestland signed an agreement to set up a joint venture to assemble AW139 helicopters in Russia in July 2008. The first helicopters are expected to roll off the production line in 2012.

The Russian corporation earlier said 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 Rosoboronexport, Russia's state-run arms exporter, has 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.

MOSCOW, June 22 (RIA Novosti)