Citic Offshore Helicopter (COHC) has ordered seven EC225 LP long-range helicopters in a new agreement with Eurocopter. The deal also paves the way for the two companies to pursue future joint ventures in training and maintenance to serve China’s rapidly developing rotary-wing market. Under the terms of the agreement COHC and Eurocopter will develop cooperative training services and establish a maintenance facility for China and the wider Asian marketplace. “The new training and maintenance capabilities offered through our cooperation with COHC will provide services that contribute to the safety of flight in the fast-growing Chinese and Asian markets,” said Norbert Ducrot, Eurocopter’s senior vice president for Asia. The joint effort is expected to include a helicopter training center with flight simulators as well as an overhaul facility for dynamic components such as main gearboxes. “We look forward to further expanding our excellent relationship with Eurocopter to offer services that respond to the expanding helicopter sector in China and Asia,” said COHC chairman Bi Wei. COHC provides general aviation transportation services and aviation maintenance service, with focus on the oil and gas industry.