EADS further strengthens defence business with Australia
- Additional 34 MRH-90 transport helicopters ordered by Australia
- Australian defence order book is EADS' strongest outside European home markets
Amsterdam, 30 June 2006
EADS' Australian defence business is further strengthened by an order for 34 MRH-90 transport helicopters, the Australian version of the NH90. The contract was signed today by EADS' subsidiary Eurocopter and the Australian government. Less than two years ago, Australia already purchased 12 MRH-90 medium-lift helicopters.
"We are delighted by this important order and thank the Australian Government for its confidence in EADS and its products. This success is a further demonstration of NH90's competitiveness and supports our Australian defence order book, which is the strongest outside Europe. In defence, Australia is a global reference customer and known for its demanding but fair competition and evaluation procedures," said EADS CEOs Tom Enders and Noël Forgeard.
Today's NH90 contract continues a series of major successes for EADS in the Australian market, including orders for 22 Tiger combat helicopters and five A330 MRTT (Multi-Role Tanker Transport Aircraft). Local MRH-90 production will generate 400 jobs in Australia, mainly at the Brisbane plant of Eurocopter's subsidiary Australian Aerospace, where already the Australian Tiger helicopter are being manufactured. Through-life support services for the transport helicopters will also take place in Australia. Expanding local production and generating highly skilled jobs in Australia makes EADS part of one of the most attractive markets and adds value to customers and partners in the region.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and the joint venture MBDA, the leading international missile producer in the global market. 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.
Contacts for the media:
| Michael Hauger | EADS |
Tel.: +49 89 60 73 42 35 |
| Isabelle Desmet | EADS |
Tel.: +33 1 42 24 20 63 |
| Miguel Sanchez | EADS |
Tel.: +34 91 5 85 77 89 |
