Helicopter - Just in: Boeing will not buy Westland - Rotor & Wings

Monday, December 7, 2015

Report: Finmeccanica Rejects Boeing Bid for Westland

AgustaWestland owner Finmeccanica has rejected a Boeing bid to buy its U.K. helicopter unit, according to a Dec. 6 report by The Sunday Times. The London newspaper, citing industry sources, said the U.S. aerospace and defense giant made “at least one informal approach earlier this year” to buy Westland, which is headquartered in Yeovil in southwest England. The Times labeled the offer “an audacious bid,” adding thatBoeing is the U.K. defense ministry’s 10th biggest supplier, “yet it does not have a substantial manufacturing presence in Britain.” Yeovil is the final assembly site for AgustaWestland’s Super Lynx 300, AW159, AW101 and the new-generation civil AW189. In addition, Yeovil provides operational support and training for U.K. military helicopters.