Kazakh company plans to supply military helicopters to Azerbaijan
By Nigar Orujova
Eurocopter Kazakhstan Engineering company plans to supply to Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia EC 645 T2 military helicopters, which the company intends to assemble in Astana, Commercial Director Karybay Ablezov said during the presentation of a new helicopter on July 18.
"The company will set up assembly of helicopters in 2013 and manufacture the first helicopter in 2014, and deliveries will begin in 2015," he said.
The Kazakh Defense Ministry has confirmed an order for the military helicopters.
"Currently, there is an order for four helicopters in 2015," he stressed. "We hope the Border Service of the National Security Committee and, perhaps, the Interior Ministry to show interest in them."
The helicopter has various weapons, including guided and unguided missiles, and heavy machine guns. Kazakhstan is the fourth country after Germany, France and the U.S, which presented a military helicopter. The price has not been disclosed yet.
"In general, it was developed by Eurocopter, whose shareholders are France, Germany and Spain," he noted. "We will get spare parts and components for assembly from Germany and France."
The initial capacity of the plant will reach 10-12 helicopters per year, but further it is planned to increase the output, he said.
According to the technical characteristics, a maximum take-off weight of the helicopter is 3,650 kilograms, the maximum permitted speed is 268 kilometers per hour, within 663 kilometers range. The helicopter with the passenger capacity of up to 10 people is equipped with an optical system, a night vision system, and a laser device for distance measuring.
Memorandum on the assembly and maintenance of the "EU 645 T2" military helicopters was signed between the Kazakh national company Kazakhstan Engineering and Eurocopter in spring 2013. Moreover, it is planned to expand the model range of the produced helicopters.
Azerbaijan's Air Forces fleet has military helicopters Mi-17, Mi-24, Ka-32, Mi-35M, Mi-8. Azerbaijan will also purchase some 60 "T-129 ATAK" helicopters specially manufactured by Turkey for Azerbaijan, which will cost $3 billion.