Australian Prime Minister Inspects Eurocopter Helicopters during his State Visit to Germany
Munich, 04 July 2002
During his three-day state visit to the Federal Republic of Germany the Australian Prime Minister, His Excellency John Howard, reserved some time in his busy schedule to visit a special display of the Franco-German helicopter manufacturer, Eurocopter, set up for him and his delegation at Munich Airport on July 3rd. The state visit was aimed at further improving the economic and trade relations between the two countries. Eurocopter and its parent company, EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company), are among Australia's major industrial partners.
H.E. John Howard was met at Munich Airport by Axel Arendt, Chief Financial Officer and Member of the Executive Committee of EADS, Jean-Francois Bigay, President of Eurocopter, and Frank Dorn, Executive Vice President Governmental Helicopters of Eurocopter. He was then guided to a display of Europe's new combat helicopter, the Tiger, which is being procured by Australia as its new Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter (ARH), and an EC 120 light single-engine helicopter for which Eurocopter will set up an assembly line at Australian Aerospace in Brisbane, Australia. Also on display was an EC 135 light twin-engined helicopter which is particularly successful in law enforcement and emergency medical services.
The Australian delegation took great interest in the technical explanations given on the Eurocopter helicopters, each of them the most advanced model in its respective class, and the sizeable growth of EADS and Eurocopter activities in Australia. H.E. John Howard climbed the cockpit of the Tiger and received a briefing on the aircraft's capabilities by Col. Andrew Dudgeon, Project Leader of the Australian Tiger ARH Team at Eurocopter's Head Office in Marignane, France. The Tiger, which will also be assembled in Brisbane for the Australian requirement and in which numerous Australian aviation and defence companies will be involved, will create substantial employment opportunities and enhance the aerospace industry in Australia.
Since 1986, Eurocopter operates an Australian subsidiary in Bankstown (Sydney), with further bases in Melbourne and Brisbane and one in Auckland, New Zealand. With a market share of 31 per cent in Australia and 42 per cent in New Zealand, the facility supports a fleet of close to 300 Eurocopter helicopters in the region. EADS, the parent company, has equally had a strong presence in Australia for many years, although under different names. Its founding companies, Aerospatiale Matra of France, Construcciones Aeronauticas of Spain and DaimlerChrysler Aerospace of Germany, as well as subsidiaries like Eurocopter, Airbus and Auspace have their own unique histories in Australia and the Asian Pacific region alike. For Australia, EADS is seeking out new growth areas as well as maintaining its long-standing strategic alliances with government and industry alike.
A major growth factor is obviously Australia's AIR 87 programme which will provide the Australian Defence Force with 22 Eurocopter Tiger ARH for land defence. The scope of this programme includes the provision of the 22 helicopters for aerial reconnaissance and fire support, a mission planning and control system, a software support facility, a comprehensive training system including simulators, electronic warfare support systems, facilities, and long-term contracts for logistic support, maintenance and fleet management. The acquisition and through-life support contracts for this programme were signed on December 21, 2001. In-service date for the capability will be achieved in December 2004 with the delivery of the first two Tiger helicopters and availability of trained crews in Australia. Full operational capability will be fulfilled in 2008.
The first four ARH will be assembled at Eurocopter's facility in Marignane, France. The remaining 18 aircraft will be assembled at the new Australian Aerospace facility in Brisbane. Extensive Australian industry support is given in the assembly, test and acceptance of the aircraft and the development and support of many of the ground support systems. There will be increased involvement opportunities for Australian industry in the acquisition of the simulation and training devices for this capability and in the through-life support of the overall system.
With the Tiger and EC 120 assembly lines in Brisbane, Eurocopter and its parent company, EADS, have made a long-term commitment to Australia in the high-tech field of aviation and defence. The two companies were therefore extremely pleased to be given the opportunity to explain their Australian activities, and to present its two advanced helicopter types to be assembled in Australia, to H.E. John Howard and his delegation during their visit to Munich.
In 2001, Eurocopter booked orders for a total of 372 new helicopters and 335 were delivered, which represents a 43 per cent share in the world market. Turnover increased by 10 per cent to 2.2 billion Euro as compared to 2000. Eurocopter is world market leader and presently employs 10,500 staff.
Eurocopter is a wholly-owned subsidiary of European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS). With revenues amounting to 30.8 billion Euro in 2001 and a workforce of 100,000, EADS is the largest European aerospace company and No. 2 worldwide. It is active in the sectors of commercial aircraft, helicopters, space, military transport and combat aircraft as well as defence technology and services.
For further information, please contact:
| Jean Louis ESPES |
Tel: +33 (0) 4 42 85 95 55 Fax: +33 (0) 4 42 85 95 64 |
|
Eurocopter S.A.S. Aéroport International Marseille Provence 13725 Marignane Cedex France | |
| Christina GOTZHEIN |
Tel: +49 (0) 89 60 00 64 88 Fax: +49 (0) 89 60 00 44 37 37 |
|
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH 81663 Munich Germany |
Web site: www.eurocopter.com
