Eurocopter invests in Russia

The Franco-German company, Eurocopter, has announced plans for the joint production with a Russian partner in St Petersburg of a light helicopter to be used by police, fire-fighters and rescue services.

Initially, the joint venture -- with Russia's RusAir company -- will only assemble the Ecureuil helicopters, but eventually it will start producing major units for the aircraft.

Production will be based in St Petersburg, and the first batch of the helicopters will be used in north-west Russia.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service