Government of Kazakhstan and Eurocopter have signed an agreement of intent on purchase of 20 Eurocopter EC725s. It is another testament of high demand for this medium helicopter. The helicopters will be assembled in Kazakhstan and operated by the Kazakh Ministry of Defense, press-service of Eurocopter reports. AEX.ru

"The agreement signed this month at KADEX-2012 exhibition in Astana expands the interaction between Kazakhstan and Eurocopter in the area of helicopter operation and industrial cooperation. Besides ЕС725, Kazakhstan acquires 45 Eurocopter EC145s, which will be assembled by the joint-venture Eurocopter Kazakhstan Engineering (owned by Eurocopter (50%) and Kazakhstan Engineering (50%))", - Eurocopter’s press-service noted.

«After successful development of the project for assembling ЕС145 helicopters in Astana, Eurocopter expands its cooperation with Kazakhstan and Kazakhstan Engineering. Our work is based on mutual confidence and longstanding partnership and our joint goal is creation of strong helicopter industry in Kazakhstan», - said Olivier Lambert, senior vice-president of Eurocopter, Sales and Customers. «We are confident that due to its flexibility and performance ЕС725 helicopter is one of the best helicopters for solving the problems in the 21st century».

EC725 is a member of Cougar Family manufactured by Eurocopter. The contracts on delivery of these vehicles have been recently signed by the Ministries of Defense of France, Brazil, Malaysia, Mexico and Indonesia. The efficiency of EC725 was confirmed by its Caracal version during operations of French armed forces in Afghanistan.

Multi-role ЕС725 helicopter may be operated inland or it may be deployed at a ship. The vehicle is equipped with ice-protection system and may be operated under conditions of low temperatures. The helicopter is equipped with four-axial autopilot, has a spacious cockpit and may carry a lot of different armament.

That is why ЕС725 may be used for completion of different missions, for example, tactical transportation, search-and-rescue operations, special operations and maritime operations.

Government of Kazakhstan has already chosen the civil version of ЕС725 (ЕС225) for VIP-transportation.