Kazakhstan, Astana, July 18 / Trend D. Mukhtarov /
Kazakh company "Eurocopter Kazakhstan Engineering" intends to begin assembling "EC 645 T2" military helicopters in Astana in 2013. It plans to deliver them to Azerbaijan, Mongolia, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan and Russia, commercial director of the company Karybay Ablezov said during the presentation of a new helicopter on Thursday.
"The helicopter is still in the form of a layout," he said. "The helicopter will be produced for the first time in 2014, and deliveries will begin in 2015. We plan to supply helicopters to Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia. These are attack helicopters. The law enforcement agencies will purchase them."
According to him, the Kazakh Defense Ministry has confirmed an order for helicopters.
"We hope that the Border Service of the National Security Committee and, perhaps, the Interior Ministry will show interest," he added. "Currently, there is an order for four helicopters in 2015."
According to him, the helicopter has various weapons, namely, guided and unguided missiles, heavy machine guns. Kazakhstan is the fourth country after Germany, France and the U.S, where a military helicopter was presented. The price has not been disclosed.
"In general, this was developed by "Eurocopter"," he added. "Such countries as France, Germany and Spain are its shareholders. We will get parts and components for assembly from Germany and France. The helicopters will be assembled in Astana. We can export them but there are no foreign orders."
The capacity of our plant in the early stages will reach 10-12 helicopters per year, but it is planned that the production capacity will increase in the future, he said.
According to the technical characteristics, a maximum take-off weight is 3,650 kilograms, the maximum permitted speed - 268 kilometers per hour, range - 663 kilometers. The capacity is up to 10 people. The helicopter is equipped with an optical system, a night vision system, laser device for distance measuring.
Memorandum on the assembly and maintenance of EU 645 T2 military helicopters was signed in spring 2013 between the Kazakh national company "Kazakhstan Engineering" and "Eurocopter".