Rockwell Collins and China Leihua Electronic Technology Research Institute (LETRI), a subsidiary of the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), today announced the formal incorporation and grand opening of their joint venture - AVIC Leihua Rockwell Collins Avionics Company. The new joint venture will initially develop, manufacture and deliver integrated surveillance system products for the C919 program in China.

“The formalization of our first joint venture with AVIC demonstrates the strongest cooperation yet between our organizations,” said Kent Statler executive vice president and chief operating officer, Commercial Systems for Rockwell Collins. “The creation of AVIC Leihua Rockwell Collins Avionics Company is a major milestone in supporting the COMAC C919 program, as well as another step forward in supporting the growing aviation industry in China.”

“The establishment of this joint venture unveils a new chapter of cooperation between Rockwell Collins and AVIC,” said Zhang Xinguo, senior vice president of AVIC. “Together our companies will further deepen a mutually beneficial relationship that shares the prosperity and growth of China and the world civil aviation market. “In the process of becoming a key player in the global aviation supply chain, AVIC is cooperating with well-known international companies to create a highly competitive offering through the combined strengths of these partnerships. This cooperation also demonstrates that AVIC is actively involved in the process of global economic integration in a mindset of openness and self-confidence.”

Executives commemorated the grand opening at a ribbon cutting ceremony held today in Wuxi, where the new entity will be based. Those in attendance from Rockwell Collins included Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Clay Jones; Statler and Colin Mahoney, senior vice president, International and Service Solutions. AVIC executives included Mr. Zhang Xinguo, AVIC executive vice president; Mr. Lu Guangshan, chairman of AVIC Avionics Systems; and Mr. Zhang Lin, LETRI president.

Rockwell Collins has been working with the Chinese aviation industry and its suppliers for 30 years. The company's equipment is installed in many airplanes manufactured in China including the ARJ21, MA60/600, Y8, Y12, K8, AC312 and AC352, and is on nearly every western airliner operated by China's airlines.