Aircraft
Kazakhstan Becoming a Regional Aircraft Industry/Service Hub
Partnerships with companies in Russia, Israel, Turkey, and Europe are helping to strengthen Kazakhstan’s growing defense industry.
The ARZ405 is due to begin assembly of Mi-8/171s. This is a Kazakh air force Mi-171Sh. (Photo: Kazakhstan Engineering)
The ARZ405 is due to begin assembly of Mi-8/171s. This is a Kazakh air force Mi-171Sh. (Photo: Kazakhstan Engineering)

As part of Kazakhstan’s latest move to become the region’s most important aircraft manufacturer and service provider, a tripartite agreement was signed on December 14 covering main parts assembly for Mi-8 AMT/Mi-171 helicopters in Nur-Sultan, the recently renamed capital (formerly Astana) of the Central Asian country.

Host of the event and one of the signatories was Kazakhstan Engineering (KE), a large government structure and defense industry complex. The other two parties are the 405th Aircraft Repair Factory (ARZ405) and Russian Helicopters. The document was based on a preliminary agreement concluded between the presidents of Russia and Kazakhstan. “With strong government support, the technology for assembling heavy helicopters will be implemented in Kazakhstan for the first time,” remarked the head of KE, Kuanish Bishimo.