Russia and Italy have planned to jointly produce helicopters within two months, local media reported on Friday.

The new plant is scheduled to launch production by 2012.

In July 2008, Russian Oboronprom and Italian Agusta Westland signed a deal to jointly manufacture AW 139 helicopters within Russia, with an annual output between 20 and 30.

The AW 139 helicopters are particularly suitable for operations around oil fields.

Russian experts said cooperation between Russian production plants and Western companies is conducive to the modernization of Russia's helicopter manufacturing.

Over the past two years, Agusta Westland has supplied 10 helicopters to Russia, six of which have been put into use.

In order to expand market, the Italian producer has planned to set up three or four service centers in Russia.

According to its official website, the Anglo-Italian helicopter company owned by Italy's Finmeccanica is a total capability provider in the vertical lift market. The company currently produces A-109, A-139 and A-129 helicopters.