Sikorsky Aircraft sold for $9 billion

Lockheed Martin, an American global aerospace, defense, and security company will purchase  Sikorsky Aircraft from United Technologies (UTC) for $9 billion, Bloomberg reported. Thus the ownership of the Polish PZL Mielec production plant will also change. Previous reports stated that, as a consequence of the sale, 1,400 people would be dismissed, including 500 workers at the Mielec production plant. In total, Sikorsky consists of four production plants and employs 15,000 people. As many as 500 workers could lose their jobs at the Mielec factory. The upcoming weeks will show if Sikorsky is to be sold or separated from UTC structures, the daily informed. Rzeczpospolita suggested that the decision is the outcome of choosing Airbus Helicopters' offer over Sikorsky Aircraft in tender for the Polish Army. While, the loss of the Polish contract contributed, the company experienced a lull on the helicopter market due to low oil prices. For UTC, the transaction means withdrawing from helicopter business and focusing on other arms.