RUSSIA TO SHIP COMBAT CHOPPERS TO SOUTH KOREA








UFA, March 6. /Alik Shakirov, RIA Novosti Correspondent/. Kamovo design bureau's representatives, who traveled to South Korea as part of a Russian official delegation led by President Vladimir Putin, had a quite successful visit, Boris Malyshev, manager of the Kumertau Aviation Manufacturing Enterprise, Bashkortostan, who had also been a member of the delegation, said on Tuesday.


	He said the Kumertau aircraft manufacturer had had orders placed by the Korean military to build Ka-50 combat helicopters that the army has codenamed "Black Shark".


	The factory is expecting a Korean delegation in the middle of March to nail down the agreement.


	Malyshev pointed out that the Korean military had shown interest in modifications of the Kumertau-manufactured helicopter Ka-32 that are intended for firefighting and deactivation of land objects and sea surface.


	Over the last 7 years, the factory shipped 35 helicopters to large Korean companies and Forestry Ministry, with the last consignment finalized last February.


	Malyshev said that Korean clients are attracted by the acceptable price of Kumertau equipment, its reliability, staff training and maintenance options.