Helicopters manufacturer Eurocopter (of EADS group) delivered the first of six EC145 multi-purpose light helicopters ordered by the Kazakh Ministries of Defence and Emergencies.

A total of 45 of the helicopters are to be purchased, and will be assembled by the new joint venture Eurocopter Kazakhstan Engineering, in which Eurocopter and Kazakhstan Engineering have a 50/50 share.

Eurocopter Kazakhstan Engineering is scheduled to deliver 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.