Finmeccanica signs wide-ranging MoU with Kazakhstan

Finmeccanica expects electro-optic systems developed by its subsidiary Selex Gallileo to be used to upgrade T-72 main battle tanks (MBTs) operated by the Kazakh armed forces under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by the Italian company and Kazakhstan.

The industrial co-operation agreements signed between Kazakh sovereign wealth fund (SWF) Samruk-Kazyna and Finmeccanica on 4 November relate to joint projects in the rail and civilian helicopter domains in addition to military electro-optic systems.

"One specific provision of the MoU ... is the establishment of a working group to analyse Kazakhstan's changing needs and the business opportunities for Finmeccanica Group companies," the Italian company said in a statement.

Military aspects of the accords include a co-operation agreement between Selex Galileo and KazEngineering. Beyond defence, Temir Zholy of Kazakhstan and Finmeccanica rail systems subsidiary Ansaldo STS signed a joint venture agreement relating to rail signalling, while AgustaWestland (the Finmeccanica helicopter subsidiary) and Samruk-Kazyna agreed to a joint venture to build a civilian helicopter training and maintenance centre. Other accords related to the assembly of gas-powered buses.