Article Posted on : - Nov 30, 2011

EC145 helicopter. Photo: Eurocopter

MARIGNANE (BNS): Eurocopter has delivered the first of six EC145s to Kazakh Ministries of Defence and Emergencies.

According to the company, a total of 45 of the helicopters are to be purchased, which will be assembled by the new joint venture Eurocopter Kazakhstan Engineering.

Eurocopter Kazakhstan Engineering, will be assembling and customizing EC145s at its facilities near the Astana International Airport in Kazakhstan.

The company has scheduled the delivery of the initial six EC145s to the Kazakh Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Emergencies before the end of the year for search and rescue and medical evacuation missions. The remaining helicopters are to be delivered by the end of 2016.

"The delivery of this first EC145 is very symbolic, as it marks the beginning of operations as part of our cooperation with Kazakhstan Engineering," Olivier Michalon, Global Business & Services Vice President for Europe and Central Asia said.

The EC145 is a twin-engine, medium-lift class with multi-mission capabilities and is equipped with the latest innovations developed by Eurocopter in cockpit design, avionics and rotor systems.