Airbus Helicopters and Hungarian Government have announced plans to establish an aerospace facility in Gyula, a town in Bekes County.

Once operational, the site is expected to become a core part of an emerging aeronautics cluster.

The plan was announced by Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even and Hungarian Government's Commissioner for the national defence industry and defence development and coordination of armament modernisation Gaspar Maroth in Budapest.

Airbus Helicopters and Hungary signed a memorandum of agreement at the end of last year for industrial cooperation to build long-term aviation projects.

The plant will manufacture metallic elementary parts for the complete Airbus product range of helicopters. It is expected to commence operations in 2021.

The Hungarian Government aims to develop capabilities for metallic surface treatment, as well as establish a Hungarian Aerospace Academy to support the new site with a trained workforce.

Airbus will operate the plant and hold the majority of the shares.

Even said: "Hungary offers us the opportunity to implement our industrial strategy based on the specialisation of our sites and to set up a greenfield aerospace complex according to the most modern industry requirements.

"We also can rely on a skilled and well-educated workforce. I'm looking forward to welcoming Hungary as a new member of the global Airbus Helicopters family."