Major successes for EADS within the scope of its strategic partnership with China
- Airbus: The largest order in its history with 150 aircraft
- Eurocopter: Reinforcement of cooperative dynamics with the launch of the new 6-ton utility helicopter, the EC175
Paris, 05 December 2005
On the occasion of the visit of Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao, EADS will sign two major contracts which will consolidate its development strategy for the Chinese market:
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A firm commitment from CASC to purchase 150 A320 family aircraft; to date, this is the largest order for Airbus aircraft in China and throughout the world.
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A co-development and co-manufacturing contract for a new 6-ton helicopter with the Chinese manufacturer AVIC II. Intended for the international market, this new helicopter will complete the respective product ranges of Eurocopter and AVIC II.
"EADS has clearly adopted a long-term partnership perspective and wants to take an active part in Chinese aeronautic and space sector growth and development," announced Noël Forgeard and Tom Enders, co-CEOs of EADS.
"The development of EADS' industrial presence in China is an important step for the Group and demonstrates the significant role that China plays in EADS' global expansion strategy," declared Jean-Paul Gut, COO of EADS.
In this logic, EADS continues its cooperation policy in China, notably through:
Airbus and the NDRC (National Development & Reform Commission of China) have signed an agreement dealing with the development perspectives of industrial cooperation between the parties. The agreement also foresees the possibility to expand cooperation including the possibility to establish a final assembly line for single-aisle aircraft in China.
Airbus is also committed to increasing its share of purchases in China within existing programs up to 60 million dollars per year beginning in 2007 and up to 120 million starting in 2010. Last July, Airbus also inaugurated an engineering center in Beijing and has offered China the opportunity to take a 5% stake in the new A350 program.
The Eurocopter 6-ton helicopter project continues within the scope of programs convened between Eurocopter and Chinese industry. As early as the 1960s, Eurocopter was already a privileged partner with China with the sale of the Alouette III. The Dauphin production licenses (1980), and industrial cooperation on the EC120 (1992) were also important steps of this cooperation.
EADS has chosen to make a long-term commitment to the Space sector within this market. In the scientific sector, EADS ASTRIUM is an active player in the partnership between the CNES and the CNSA. Industrial cooperation has also been initiated in the field of space telecommunications.
In terms of major event security and in anticipation of the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, EADS, the leader of a European offer, was selected by two major Chinese industrial groups (CETC and CASIC) to propose and jointly build the architecture for a security system.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2004, EADS generated revenues of € 31.8 billion and employed a workforce of about 110,000. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and the joint venture MBDA, the international leader in missile systems. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, is the prime contractor for the Ariane launcher, develops the A400M military transport aircraft and is the largest industrial partner for the European satellite navigation system Galileo.
Media contacts
| EADS Press Department |
Tel.: 01 42 24 27 76 |
| Gaëlle Pellerin |
Tel.: 06 76 05 89 91 |
| Isabelle Desmet |
Tel.: 06 07 33 58 71 |
