Ukrainian defence firm Ukroboronprom is reported by Novosti as being close to deal to buy five EC145s from the new factory in Kazakhstan, quoting the president of defense holding company Kazakhstan Engineering, Bolat Smagulov

Smagulov expects contract signature within the next few months, he said at the opening of the new Eurocopter plant in Kazakhstan.  Further interest in the type is also reported from Russia and Azerbaijan. Work has started on the first ten airframes

The plant will also start to make EC725 military transport helicopters from 2013.

Nikolai Vanesev – Helihub.com Moscow correspondent