AKIPRESS.COM - Kazakhstan will assemble 17 sets of Mi-8AMT and Mi-171 transport helicopters to be produced by Russia, Xinhuareported as the country's Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development saying.

According to a trilateral contract signed Saturday by Kazakhstan Engineering, Kazakhstan's Aircraft Repair Plant No. 405 (ARP 405) and Russian Helicopters, the 17 sets, worth 460 million U.S. dollars, will be produced in Russia's Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant and assembled in ARP 405, the ministry said.

The first batch of eight helicopters is expected to be delivered next year, and the remaining ones by 2026, it said.

"The technology for assembling heavy helicopters is introduced to Kazakhstan for the first time. This will be a significant step in the development of Kazakhstan's helicopter industry," said Kuanysh Bishimov, chairman of the board of Kazakhstan Engineering.

"The Russia-Kazakhstan cooperation will not only renew the helicopter fleet of Kazakhstan, but also increase the scientific and technical potential of local enterprises," Andrey Boginsky, general director of Russian Helicopters, said in a statement.

According to the ministry, the helicopters will be adapted to the requirements of the customers -- the Committee for Emergency Situations of Kazakhstan and the National Guard of Kazakhstan.

They would be tasked with transportation of passengers and goods, emergency rescue operations, forest protection, fire fighting, ambulance services and law enforcement operations, it said.