Kazakhstan orders another eight EC145s

The
Kazakhstan
government has placed an additional order for eight EC145 helicopters in terms
of a framework agreement covering 45 aircraft, which are to be assembled
in-country by the Eurocopter Kazakhstan Engineering joint venture.

These
latest bookings are for six EC145 medevac and two search and rescue EC145
helicopters. The order was announced at the KASEX 2012 show held in Astana last
week. In 2011, Eurocopter delivered six
similarly-configured EC145s, which were assembled in Kazakhstan and delivered to the Ministry
of Emergency Situations and Ministry of Defence.

“The new orders build on our
successful cooperation with Kazakhstan,
and will provide additional state-of-the-art helicopters to meet its vertical
airlift needs in a full range of operations,” said Olivier Michalon,
Eurocopter’s vice president of global business and services for Europe and Central Asia. “This marks a new step in our joint venture
with Kazakhstan Engineering, which brings key capabilities in developing the
country’s aviation expertise.”

With operations adjacent to Astana International
Airport, the Eurocopter
Kazakhstan Engineering joint venture is responsible for helicopter assembly and
customisation, along with maintenance, support and training services.
Eurocopter Kazakhstan Engineering also pursues sales activities throughout the
region.

Photograph: ©
Copyright Eurocopter, Charles Abarr