BAE Systems and the Kazakhstan Government are to form a joint holding company to study opportunities for collaboration. Local press reports say the company will focus on aircraft maintenance and leasing, and should be established by 1 April.
BAE says a memorandum of understanding sets out a framework for co-operation on projects including "assistance in the development of the civil aviation sector in Kazakhstan." It adds that "there will be potential for defence orders in the future".
Reports say the 50:50 venture will first conduct a six-month market study. Kazakh deputy transport and communications minister Vadim Zverkov apparently said that the study could lead to the creation of two companies, one to "buy or lease aircraft"; the other serving as a "technical centre for repairing and exploiting airliners".
Source: Flight International
