NUR-SULTAN – Kazakh Minister of Industry and Infrastructure Development (MIID) Roman Sklyar and Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov discussed implementing joint projects during an Aug. 27 meeting at the 14th International Aviation and Space Salon MAKS-2019 in Zhukovsky city in Russia.
“An agreement to start making large assemblies of civilian Mi-class helicopters at the Almaty Aircraft Repair Plant No. 405 in 2020 was reached,” the MIID press service reported.
The countries have also launched an effort to facilitate cooperation between Kazakh and Russian aircraft construction companies. They also discussed integrating Kazakhstan-produced products into the production chain for the assembly of aircraft manufactured in Russia, Lsm.kz reported.
The parties also discussed developing industrial cooperation and implementing bilateral projects in existing and new industries in Kazakhstan.
The N-125, N-130, N-145, and Mi-8AMT brand helicopters are produced in the country. A plant to assemble and maintain Kazakhstan Engineering helicopters opened in 2012. The plant is owned by Kazakhstan Engineering and the French-German company Eurocopter.
“The plant is equipped with workshops for mechanical unit maintenance, repairing sheet metal products, repairing electrical equipment and on-board electronics, repairing products made of composite materials and blades, as well as a workshop for repairing engines, hydraulic equipment, facilities for maintenance and painting, an autonomous boiler room, and warehouse premises,” the MIID press release informed.
The plant’s production capacity is up to 10 helicopters per year. One helicopter was sold to Kyrgyzstan in 2018. Currently, a contract is being concluded with the Kazakh Ministry of Internal Affairs for the purchase of five light N130 helicopters in 2019.
The plant maintains helicopters in Kazakhstan and is a regional hub in Central Asia for the maintenance of Airbus Helicopters and pilot and technician training.
Organisations in both countries are also considering participating in the implementation of projects for the Baikal and L610 aircraft production in conjunction with Russian Helicopters.
Earlier the MIID press department reported that the large assembly of Mi-8AMT and Mi-171 helicopters would be established in Kazakhstan. The main purchasers of Mi-8AMT and Mi-171 helicopters are governmental agencies and airlines.
