Aviation Industries of China (AVIC II) and Eurocopter have agreed to the joint development of a new six-ton twin-engine helicopter–the EC 175–to fill the niche between the AS 365 Dauphin (Dolphin) and the Super Puma. A five-year development phase is expected to start soon. The new civil type is expected to make its first flight in 2009, with European and Chinese certification (and production) set for 2011.