Eurocopter and the Community of Castilla-La Mancha sign an MoU To Develop the Region's Aeronautical Industry
Following Spain's decision to acquire the Tiger combat helicopter, Mr. José Maria Barreda, President of the Community of Castilla-La Mancha, and Mr. Fabrice Brégier, President of the Eurocopter Group, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that officializes Eurocopter's selection of the Albacete site for its new manufacturing plant.
Marignane, 12 September 2005
As Eurocopter's third pillar, Eurocopter Espana will thus be setting up a fully fledged helicopter industry in Spain with a complete range of activities, including market studies, production, certification, commercialization and support of the product throughout its life.
As for Castilla-La Mancha, the region is set to become a strategic reference for Eurocopter and for the aeronautical industry: not only will human (450 jobs), technical and logistics resources be created but the Spanish Defense Ministry intends to make the region into an aeronautical pole of excellence.
The first foundation stone is due to be laid in the last quarter of 2005 and the plant inauguration is set for the second quarter of 2007. Initial deliveries of the light twin engine EC135 helicopters will start up in the second quarter of 2007, and the Tiger assembly line will begin production in 2008.
Spain's entry in the NH 90 program will consolidate Eurocopter Espana and generate employment for about 700 people.
Eurocopter is a wholly-owned subsidiary of EADS. 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.
For further information, please contact:
| Jean-Louis ESPES | Eurocopter |
Tel.: + 33 (0) 4 42 85 95 55 Fax: + 33 (0) 4 42 85 95 64 mailto: jean-louis.espes@eurocopter.com |
| Christina GOTZHEIN | Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH |
Tel.: + 49 (0) 89 60 00 64 88 Fax: + 49 (0) 89 60 00 44 37 mailto: christina.gotzhein@eurocopter.com |
| Jesus RUIZ | Eurocopter España, S.A. |
Tel.: + 34 91 511 04 70 Fax: + 34 91 511 04 69 mailto: jesus.ruiz@eurocopter.es |
| www.eurocopter.com |
