ISLAMABAD: Pakistan had signed a contract with Italian multinational aerospace company Leonardo-Finmeccanica for an undisclosed number of Agusta Westland AW139 intermediate twin engine helicopters. The company’s website said that the contract was signed in the presence of the Italian Ambassador to Pakistan Stefano Pontecorvo. The twin engine choppers will cost over $10 million each and will be used for search and rescue operations in the country. This agreement is part of a bigger programme for fleet renewal that is spread over several stages and also includes a logistics support and training package. The new fleet of helicopters is set to be delivered in 2017. It is expected to be used for tasks such as civil protection, transport and search and rescue operations. The latest contract marks a milestone for Leonardo-Finmeccanica in Pakistan and expands its already successful presence in the country even further. A total of 11 helicopters are already in service in Pakistan out of which five are operatinf for civil protection and transport tasks. The company is the ninth-largest defence contractor in the world according to the rankings of 2014 revenues.