The Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant (U-UAP) of the Russian Helicopters holding has delivered two Mi-8AMT helicopter knock-down kits to Kazakhstan, which would be assembled by their customer.
The delivery is based on a trilateral contract for semi-knock-down (SKD) assembly of Mi-8AMT / Mi-171E helicopters, signed by Kazakhstan Engineering, Aircraft Repair Plant No. 405 in Kazakhstan and Russian Helicopters. This contract, signed in 2019, secures a delivery of 17 helicopter kits during the years 2020 – 2022.
The National Guard of Kazakhstan, organized within under the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Committee for Emergency Situations, is the main customer of Mi-8AMT rotorcraft in the country. And also this first batch of Mi-8AMT kits will assembled for the needs of the Committee for Emergency Situations.
´I am confident that successful implementation of the semi-knock-down assembly project of Mi-8AMT / Mi-171 helicopters in Kazakhstan will become a significant step forward in the development of the country’s helicopter industry and will allow local enterprises to increase their scientific and technical potential´, said Leonid Belykh, Managing Director of the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant.
Assembly of rotorcraft and their adaptation as per customer requirements will be carried out by the Aircraft Repair Plant No. 405 in the city of Almaty, that holds the greatest competencies in repairing and maintaining this helicopter type in the Central Asian region. The plant is certified by both Kazakhstan and international authorities for the repair, modernization and maintenance of Mi-8/17/171 helicopters. Existing operational experience and extensive service network of the Aircraft Repair Plant No. 405 will also secure the integrated service support for customers in the field of deployment.
The newly assembled helicopters will be tasked with transportation of passengers and goods, emergency rescue operations, forest protection, firefighting, ambulance services and law enforcement operations.
Kazakhstan has been a long-term partner of the Russian Helicopters and the country operates dozens of Mi-8AMT / Mi-171 helicopters. It was also the very first country to became a foreign operator of the latest Mi-171A2 helicopter.
Cover photo: Mi-8AMT. All photos courtesy of JSC “Russian Helicopters” / Rostec State Corporation. “Russian Helicopters” press materials were used.
