Eurocopter has delivered first of six ЕС145 helicopters ordered by Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan, Eurocopter reports. AEX.ru

A total of 45 helicopters, which will be assembled by Eurocopter Kazakhstan Engineering joint venture, have been ordered. Eurocopter and Kazakhstan Engineering have equal shares in the JV (50/50), Eurocopter noted.

This first delivery is being performed in the network of industrial cooperation and contract, signed last June by CEO of Eurocopter (Lutz Bertling) and president of Kazakhstan Engineering (Bolat Smagulov) in the presence of French and Kazakh premiers Francois Fillon and Karim Massimov.

Eurocopter Kazakhstan Engineering will be assembling and adopting EC145 helicopters in accordance with the customers’ requirements at the site, located near Astana international airport in Kazakhstan. The enterprise will also allow Eurocopter provide quality maintenance, personnel training and support to its customers in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. In addition, Eurocopter Kazakhstan Engineering will also sell helicopters in the region, the company noted.

Eurocopter Kazakhstan Engineering plans to deliver the first six helicopters, equipped with search operations and evacuation, to the Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Emergency Situations this year. The rest helicopters will be delivered by the end of 2016.

«The delivery of first EC145 is very symbolic, since it marks the beginning of cooperation with Kazakhstan Engineering», - said Oliver Michalon, vice-president of Eurocopter, Europe, Central Asia. «We are glad to become a part of joint project of Eurocopter Kazakhstan Engineering, because it will help us fulfill the scientific potential of Kazakhstan’s aircraft industry and lay the foundation for development of its new sectors. We are also confident that the new joint project will allow Eurocopter strengthen its positions in this region, because we are ready to provide our services to gas and oil industry and departmental missions, including medical transportation, outpost and patrol missions, military missions, corporate and VIP transportation».
"EC145 is the leader in twin-engine medium multi-role helicopters. The helicopter is fitted with innovative equipment, avionics and rotor systems, developed by Eurocopter. EC145 is able to perform flights at temperatures below -45С, which makes it suitable for operation in tough weather conditions, which are encountered in Kazakhstan", - the company added.