EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company in the People's Republic of China
Amsterdam, le 06 novembre 2000
Since the beginning of the economic reforms in 1978 there has been a dramatic improvement of the economic situation in China. The average real growth rate of the GNP has been about 9 percent.
The fast growing market of China plays an important role in international business. Especially in the field of air traffic (passenger and cargo) and infrastructure there is a rising demand. Air traffic in the Asia Pacific Region is predicted to grow approximately seven percent in the next 20 years, with China contributing to a large extent. In the field of infrastructure the Central Government in Beijing recognized this as the bottleneck for further economic development. Therefore the 9th Five-Year-Plan (1996-2000) incorporates plans for large infrastructure projects.
EADS, European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, founded on July 10, 2000 is represented in China by its own subsidiary in Beijing. EADS's founding companies have been in Beijing since the 1980s to strengthen the companies presence in the important and prosperous Chinese market. EADS is Europe's premier aerospace and defence company, founded by Aerospatiale Matra S.A. (France), Construcciones Aeronautic S.A. (Spain) and DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG (Germany).
Airbus Division
In the field of large passenger aircraft, EADS holds a share of 80 percent in the European Airbus Industrie consortium. Among the 40 Asian Airbus customers are Air China, China Eastern, China Northern, China Northwest, China Southern and Sichuan Airlines with more airlines to be added. In China, Airbus Industrie expects to sell 600 jets within the next 15 years. With Shenyang Aircraft Corporation, a co-operation exists on the manufacturing of emergency exit doors and wing parts for the Airbus A319/A320/321 family since 1986. There is also a co-operation with Xian Aircraft Corporation for the production of a service door part of the Airbus A320. Airbus Industrie and China Aviation Supplies Corporation (CASC) have founded a joint venture, CASC-Airbus Beijing Service & Training Center, in the neighborhood of the Beijing airport. On a total area of 40,000 sqm, the Center provides customer service, training, and spare parts supply.
For the A3XX, a very large passenger aircraft with 555 seats, Airbus is also keen to interest Asian partners in such a project. The concept: an aircraft with four engines in a completely new Airbus design with two passenger decks. In the further developments, length and wingspan will each not exceed 80 meters, the speed will be around Mach 0.85.
Aeronautics Division
Eurocopter, a 100 percent subsidiary of EADS, is the world's largest helicopter manufacturer in terms of turnover. Its products range from light single-engine helicopters to light and medium twins as well as medium-heavy transport helicopters, both for civil and military missions.
In China, Eurocopter is active in two joint venture programs with Chinese industry. The EC 120 B Colibri, a single-engine, light helicopter (max.take-off weight of 1500 kg, 4-5 seats) has been developed, and is being built, in cooperation with China Aero Technology Import and Export Corporation (CATIC) and with Singapore Technologies Aerospace (Singapore). Since its production launch in 1997, more than 200 aircraft have been sold to customers worldwide. CATIC also holds a license for the production of the AS 365 Dauphin medium-class, twin-engined helicopter.
ATR is the number 1 in turboprops of 40 to 70 seats. Its ATR 42 and ATR 72 have become the reference aircraft for efficient, reliable and economic service on short-haul routes. EADS and Alenia Aerospazio (a division of Finmeccanica of Italy) are equal partners in the ATR programme.
Currently five new generation ATR 72-500 are in operation with China Xinjiang Airlines. The Xian Aircraft Company participates in the production of the outer wing boxes for the ATR 42 and the aft fuselage section for the ATR 72.
Since the beginning of the programme ATR has sold 631 aircraft (365 ATR 42 and 266 ATR 72) to more than 100 airlines in 65 countries.
Space Division
As an 75 percent subsidiary of EADS, Astrium offers activities that cover the whole spectrum of the space business, from ground systems to satellites, launch vehicles and orbital infrastructure.
In July 1994, representatives of the Chinese Aerospace Corporation (CASC) and Astrium signed agreements on the establishment of the joint satellite company EurasSpace. Astrium and CASC hold a stake of fifty percent each. Corporate aim of EurasSpace is the development, production, and marketing of communication and earth observation satellites and related ground facilities. The participation in or the establishment of satellite operating companies is also envisaged.
Sinosat-1 is a communications satellite system for a Chinese operating company, the Sino Satellite Communication Company Ltd. (SinoSatCom). This satellite was successfully sent to the orbit in July 1998. EurasSpace is the prime contractor with the task of providing the Chinese operator with a turnkey orbiting communications satellite. In addition to procuring the satellite based on the "Spacebus 3000" and the 24C-band and 14 Ku-band transponders, EurasSpace is responsible for the booster rocket (a Chinese "Long March 3B"), the ground station, the funding and also risk management.
November 2000
