Kazakhstan orders more EC145s

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MARIGNANE, France, May 7 (UPI) -- Eurocopter reports it has received an order from Kazakhstan for eight more EC145 aircraft for search-and-rescue and medical evacuation.

The value of the order for eight aircraft was not disclosed but it came within an earlier framework agreement for 45 of the helicopters.

"The new orders build on our successful cooperation with Kazakhstan, and will provide additional state-of-the-art helicopters to meet its vertical airlift needs in a full range of operations," said Olivier Michalon, Eurocopter's vice president of Global Business & Services for Europe and Central Asia. "This marks a new step in our joint venture with Kazakhstan Engineering, which brings key capabilities in developing the country's aviation expertise."

The aircraft were ordered by the country's Ministry of Defense and Ministry of Emergency Situations. They will be assembled in Kazakhstan by Eurocopter Kazakhstan Engineering, a joint venture company.

The two ministries had earlier ordered six EC145s, light utility helicopters with a cruise speed of about 150 miles per hour and a range of more than 400 miles.