China Aviation Industry Corporation signed a cooperation framework agreement with Tianjin Municipal Government on October 17 on the joint building of a China Helicopter Industrial Base.

The base consists of research and development, product assembly, customer services and other related necessary facilities.

The project is expected to receive a total investment of more than 20 billion yuan, and will be completed in 2017.

It is another major aviation project to be built in Tianjin Binhai New Area following the final assembly line project of Airbus A320 aircraft.

Photograph: A H425 helicopter (Rego. B-980L), one of China's most advanced civil helicopters developed by Harbin Aircraft Industry (Group) Co., Ltd., was at Tianjin Binhai International Airport on October 23, 2008. Photo by CARNOC.com message board user - bianliang_166.