Wellington - The New Zealand government signed a contract Thursday to buy five Agusta-Westland training and light utility helicopters to be built at the company's Italian plant near Milan.

Defence Minister Phil Goff signed the agreement at parliament in Wellington with Phil Smith, general manager of Agusta-Westland Australia, watched by the Italian ambassador to New Zealand, Gioacchino Carlo Trizziono.

The New Zealand air force said the five A109LUH (NZ) helicopters and a flight simulator would be used to train pilots and aircrew to fly a NH90 medium utility helicopter and SH-2G Seasprite naval helicopter.

They are scheduled for delivery in 2011. (dpa)