EADS CASA signs with Poland the sale of 8 C-295 aircraft for a total of 212 million US-Dollars
Warsaw, 28 August 2001
Aldona Kamela-Sowinska, Minister of Treasury, Bronislaw Komorowski, Minister of Defence, Hemryk Ogryczak, Deputy Minister of Economy of Poland and Alberto Fernández, Chairman and CEO of EADS CASA have signed in presence of the Minister, Chief of Chancellery of the Polish Prime Minister, Maciej Musial, a contract to purchase 8 aircraft CASA C-295 for the Polish Air Forces which will replace the old An-26.
The total value of the contract is 212 million US-Dollars with deliveries starting in mid 2003 and ending up in 2005.
The CASA C-295 is a last generation medium military transport aircraft powered by two turboprop engines from Pratt and Whitney of Canada with a rear ramp access, a payload of more than 9000 kg and sophisticated and modern avionics from Sextant Avionics. It has the best life cycle cost (LCC) in its class.
The CASA C-295 is already in production and first deliveries to the Spanish Air Forces are expected before the end of this year.
The final decision has been based on three questions. First, the fulfilment of the operational and commercial requirements of the Polish Airforces. Second, the confirmation that the bidder was willing to take part in the privatisation of the PLZ Warsaw Okecie, and finally, an industrial compensation programme really advantageous for the Polish aeronautical industry that fulfils all the requirements of its Government.
The contenders versus the C-295 have been the C-27J aircraft from Italy and the An-32 from Ukraine.
The initial purchase of 51 percent of Okecie by EADS CASA means a great progress for the integration of the Polish industry in Europe. Okecie is an aeronautical company with more than 700 employees located near Warsaw airport with 75 years of tradition in light aircraft manufacturing.
About this contract EADS CASA Chairman and CEO, Alberto Fernández has said: "This contract with the Polish Air Forces is a step forward in consolidating the CN-235 and C-295 family as medium transport leaders worldwide. It confirms, as well, that for the time being the CASA C-295 has been always selected versus its competitors".
With annual revenues amounting EUR 24.2 billion and a workforce of 100,000, EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company is the largest European aerospace company and the No 2 worldwide. It is active in the sectors of commercial aircraft, helicopters, space, military transport and combat aircraft as well as defence technology and services. Among others, EADS holds 80 percent of Airbus, 75 percent of the space company Astrium, 100 percent of the helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter, 43 percent in the Eurofighter programme and 37,5 percent in the missile company MBDA.
For more information contact:
Miguel Sánchez
Tel.: (+34) 91-585 7789
Eduardo Galicia
Tel.: (+34) 91-585 7114
