EADS is set to become a key player in the field of Defence Electronics and Drone systems
Le Bourget, 19 June 2001
EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company at Paris Airshow in Le Bourget announced the successful restructuring of its defence electronics and civil units. Since 1 June 2001 these different entities now are concentrated in one transnationally integrated business unit named Systems & Defence Electronics (S & DE) with 5,700 employees in France and Germany and revenues of Euro 1 bn .
As a result of this strategic reorientation, S & DE is the European key player in the field of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) covering all the segments from lightweight tactical through longrange, strategic drones. As a system integrator S & DE disposes of the latest technology even enhanced by wide-ranging co-operations with companies, such as Northrop Grumman and IAI.
"We are making good progress on our way to become a major player in the drone business", stated Stefan ZOLLER, President and CEO of EADS' Systems & Defence Electronics. "We are able to offer all required competences in aircraft platforms, airborne systems, avionics and sensors, communications and command & control systems".
S & DE concentrates EADS' defence electronics business on clearly defined growth areas in the field of Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), Command & Control, Airborne Systems and Air Defence. Based on the skills of EADS Group as a key player in aeronautics and defence technology and a privileged access to the Group's products, S & DE with its new integrated structure establishes the preconditions for profitable growth on a global scale.
"The foundation of a globally competitive European company unit with a strong position in its home countries enables the even more cost-efficient development of new products, which - in contrast to imported solutions - can be influenced directly by the national armed forces", Zoller said during the presentation of his business unit at Paris Airshow. The implementation of a new structure and strategy strengthens S & DE's global competitiveness and enables it to enter new market segments of high profitability, thereby contributing to the expansion of EADS' defence business.
The EADS manager underscored the unreserved dedication of his company to the expansion of the defence business by enhancing existing technological strengths as well as by acquisitions and partnerships. The validity of this expansion strategy already has been confirmed by several concrete steps:
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The collaborative effort together with Northrop Grumman Corporation after only one year has led to a wide range of co-operation projects in the field of Surveillance and Sensors as displayed in a common pavilion at Le Bourget. At the Show both companies signed an agreement on their collaboration on a system solution for NATO's Airborne Ground Surveillance effort.
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As part of S & DE's international partnership strategy the unit co-operates with the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer on the development of joint surveillance activities.
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S & DE takes a leading part in newly founded SOSTAR GmbH to provide an advanced Sensor for NATO's Airborne Ground Surveillance (AGS) initiative.
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The takeover of a 26,8% stake in the Finnish technology group Patria Industries by EADS opens new opportunities on the scandinavian market.
As information dominance is a key element to crisis prevention and conflict management and EADS' S & DE business unit comprises all major information dominance systems, the company is prepared to take over an active part in the ongoing restructuring of defence industry.
With revenues amounting to EUR 24.2 billion (2000) and 100,000 employees EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company is the largest aerospace and defence company in Europe and number three worldwide.
