Finmeccanica signs helicopter deal with Qatar

ROME, July 21 (Reuters) - Italian defence and aerospace company Finmeccanica SpA SIFI.MI on Monday said its AugustaWestland unit won a contract to supply 18 helicopters to Qatar's armed forces in a contract worth 260 million euros ($413.1 million).

The Italian company said the contract brought its sales of the AW139 helicopter to more than 100 in the Middle East market, nearly a quarter of its sales of the aircraft worldwide. ($1=.6294 Euro) (Reporting by Gavin Jones; editing by Maureen Bavdek)