AMMAN, 15 February 2007 — Jordan and Russia have signed an agreement under which the Hashemite Kingdom will get six Russian KA-226 helicopters for $35 million, officials said yesterday.
The accord was one of four accords signed during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Jordan, which was concluded Tuesday, with the aim of boosting bilateral economic ties, they added. In addition to Jordan, Putin visited Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
The six helicopters, manufactured by the Russian firm OPK Oboronprom JSC, will be used in the medical field, for spraying insecticides and also to transport people and goods.
Last year, the Russian company signed a license agreement with Jordan, which authorizes the setting up of a joint venture between the Kingdom and the firm to produce and then sell the KA-226s in Jordan and other countries in the region.
Construction of the Jordanian-Russian project, to be located within the boundaries of Queen Alia International Airport, 35 kilometers south of Amman, is expected to start this year.
Under another deal signed between AvtoVAZ and a Jordanian motor manufacturing corporation, a plant to assemble Russian-made Lada cars will be established after the completion of a feasibility study.