Portugal Pays for Kamov Helicopters
Portugal has transferred advance payment to Kamov Co. under the contract for six Ka-32 helicopters. But the deal could be crabbed any time.
In early October, Portugal transferred advance payment to Kamov Co. under the $50-million contract, said representatives of Oboronprom, owner of 49.64 percent in Kamov. Under the contract, Kamov is to supply to Portugal six Ka-32 water bomber helicopters. Kamov’s contractor, Kumertauskoe Aircraft Construction Enterprise, has set to assembling the first helicopter, which delivery to Portugal is slated for February, while the whole contract will be executed by late 2007.
Ka-32 water bomber helicopters are quite popular on markets of Europe and Asia. South Korea has acquired roughly 50 Ka-32s, Spain bought nine and Switzerland got two. Kamov has been offering helicopters to Portugal since 2003.
Despite the advance payment, the Portugal's deal of Kamov could be crabbed any time. Poland’s PZL Swidnik (W3 Sokol) and Portugal's Helisul (U.S. Bell-412EP) went to law to challenge results of the tender, which Portugal’s MBA announced November 2005. Even though Bell-412 was thought the tender's favorite, it was not Helisul but Heliportugal that was acknowledged successful bidder in April. In May, Heliportugal sealed the contract with Kamov for six Ka-32 helicopters. But Helisul and PZL-Swidnik spotted some procedurial violations in tender and the trial is underway now.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Oct. 20, 2006
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