Through its impressive presence at Asian Aerospace 2006, EADS, the premier European aerospace and defence company, reaffirms its commitment to Asia.
As the largest foreign exhibitor, and second only to Singapore Technologies Engineering, EADS will exhibit the Airbus A380, the largest passenger jet ever built, as well as the helicopters EC 135 and EC 155. The EADS stand will include many mock ups of its latest aircraft, helicopters, and defence and space products, including the A350, the NH90, the A400M and the Euromale UAV system. During the exhibition, EADS will inaugurate the new EADS research and development centre in Singapore.
The Asia-Pacific region is a high priority for EADS. In 2004, the company generated € 4.9 billion, or 15.5% of the group total revenues in the region. It is targeting 30% of its overall revenues by 2015. “EADS already has a long track record of cooperation with Asian countries, which are becoming major players in the world of aerospace, defence and security”, said Noel Forgeard and Tom Enders, EADS CEOs. “Industrial partnerships with the national industry are key to further growth in this important region. As a multinational company with more then 40 years of experience in cross border collaborations, we are the world champion of international partnerships.”
For years, all EADS divisions have worked to develop strong cooperation links with national industries in many Asian countries, while the group’s products have encountered increasing success.
Airbus orders from the Asia-Pacific region in 2005 accounted for over 45% of the global total, with more than 500 firm orders from 13 customers. These included highly significant orders for the A380 from China Southern and Kingfisher in India, A330s from Air China and China Southern and almost 270 A320 Family orders from low-cost carriers including AirAsia, Air Deccan, IndiGo and Tiger Airways. Total orders from the region stand at almost 1,500, with more than 800 aircraft of all types now in service with 56 airline operators across the region.
Singapore Airlines will be the first airline in the world to operate the A380 with deliveries scheduled to commence in late 2006, while China Southern, Kingfisher, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas and Thai Airways International also have selected the A380. Many suppliers throughout the region are involved in the production of Airbus wide body and single-aisle parts. In order to support its growing customer base in the region, Airbus has a major Training and Spares Centre in Beijing and Spares Centre in Singapore.
Eurocopter, a fully-owned EADS subsidiary, accounts for more than 40% of the civil and parapublic turbine helicopter fleet in service in Asia. Eurocopter is present in many Asian countries, with subsidiaries such as Eurocopter South East Asia, Australian Aerospace, Eurocopter Malaysia, Eurocopter Japan and Eurocopter Philippines. The company has established long-term partnerships with Asian manufacturers such as Singapore Technology, AviChina, HAL from India and the Korean KAI. By means of partners, Eurocopters offers a widespread service centre network in India, Sri Lanka and Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia and Cambodia.
EADS SPACE has established partnerships in Japan, Korea and China and has provided satellites to Thailand and Singapore. Together with Antrix, the commercial arm of the Indian Space Research Organization ISRO, EADS SPACE is addressing the market for small communication satellites.
Military transport aircraft manufactured by EADS are in operation with six Asian customers. In December 2005, Malaysia became a member of the new A400M air lifter programme by ordering four airplanes of this type. Australia is the first customer for the Airbus Tanker Aircraft MRTT based on the A330.
EADS Defence & Security Division (DS) has long established itself in the region as a supplier of air defence and missile systems. Multi-satellite ground stations and secured communications also is part of its defence and security offering in Asia Pacific. DS also provides mission-critical elements for data gathering, data processing and distribution, and electronic self-protection.
Regional aircraft manufacturer ATR also has considerably expanded in Asia to serve regional routes with high cost-efficiency and comfort. 112 ATR aircraft currently are operated by 24 Asian airlines. With existing customer support in Singapore, a training centre in Bangkok and an office in Beijing, ATR will further increase its support capabilities and services in Asia this year.
Christian Duhain, head of EADS International, the corporate marketing organisation of EADS, stated: “We are looking forward to further developing our ties with Asia to our mutual benefit. Research and development, as well as sourcing, manufacturing and after-sales service, are activities that we also want to strengthen in Asia”.
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.
