David Laws: Helicopter unveiling an important day for Westland

ON Monday I flew by helicopter from the heliport in Battersea down to the International Airshow at Farnborough.

Within 15 minutes or so we were touching down in the airfield in Farnborough, and we were soon in a car winding our way through the traffic and people who are attracted to this very prestigious event.

I do not usually attend the Farnborough Airshow, but this was a special occasion because AgustaWestland was unveiling a new civil helicopter, which could end up being built in Yeovil.

The new helicopter is called the AW169. It is designed to be used for a wide range of non-military purposes such as air ambulance law enforcement, firefighting, disaster relief, search and rescue or simply as a commercial helicopter.

When I arrived in Farnborough I met Graham Cole, Westland's UK managing director, and he updated me on the latest developments with the new aircraft. Graham and I had already met Vince Cable MP, the Business Secretary, a couple of weeks ago to discuss this issue.

Graham unveiled the new helicopter, just after noon.

Vince has already written to me to say how much his department supports the development of the new aircraft in the UK.

Graham explained that AgustaWestland in Yeovil is going to be involved in the design, development and production of the aircraft, with a real opportunity for a civil helicopter production line in Yeovil in the future, if the aircraft proves to be a success. There was a very warm reception for the new aircraft in Farnborough, and a distinct view that it fills an obvious gap in the market place.

It would be fantastic for AgustaWestland and for Yeovil if we can secure a civil helicopter production line in the UK, because this would help to provide a solid stream of work to complement the ups and downs of the military helicopter order book.

Military helicopter sales can come in periods of "feast" followed by "famine" so there is always a worry about keeping good order books in order to sustain jobs and engineering expertise. AW169 would therefore be a breakthrough for Westland in Yeovil, and a very important support for the business in the future.

But there is still a long way to go to get the project going and to start to secure the orders needed – and this will take a lot of work. However, the aircraft certainly seems to have huge potential, and it includes the latest technology, good environmental characteristics, and plenty of inside space.

My congratulations, therefore, to Graham and to all those involved in a very successful launch. A new team has now been established to exploit the potential of the non-military market in the UK, and to help to secure the diversification of the long established military activities in Yeovil. This could prove to be an important day in Westland's future.

After the launch, I chatted with a group of those present and had a swift bite to eat, and then crossed the airfield to take a helicopter ride back to London.

I would have liked to have seen more of the Airshow, but duty was calling me back to Westminster.