EADS Global Website - Skolkovo: The Centre of EADS Innovation in Russia

The creation of EADS Innovation Works Russia at the Moscow region’s Skolkovo high-tech hub is a natural progression in the growth and strengthening of the company’s relationships with Russian RT&D partners.

In the domain of aerospace technology, EADS considers Russia as a technological partner country equivalent to North America or Western Europe. At the same time, the dynamism surrounding the creation of high-technology goods and services in Russia is more comparable developing nations such as Brazil and India.

EADS intends to derive more technological value for both itself and its Russian partners through the creation of EADS Innovation Works Russia at Skolkovo. This will facilitate cooperation with Russian third parties of strategic interest to EADS, enhance the overall value of the company’s RT&D work performed in Russia, and ultimately increase the level of high technology goods and services procured in the country by EADS.

A joint venture milestone

The first major milestone in EADS’ relationship with Skolkovo was achieved through an agreement signed in December 2010 by the DATADVANCE software joint venture between EADS and Russian investors. It was followed in March 2011 by EADS to establish its Russian research and development centre at Skolkovo.

Skolkovo offers numerous advantages for EADS in terms of infrastructure, proximity to high technology partners, networking with high technology company leaders, strengthened links with governmental agencies and financial investment opportunities – all of which will assist the company’s cooperation in Russia.

With its base in Skolkovo, EADS Innovation Works Russia becomes an integral part of the overall EADS Innovation Works organisation – which is the company’s focal point for research and technology. This will allow EADS’ innovation activities in Russia to be managed as they currently are through the established infrastructure in its home countries of France, Germany and the UK, helping to further trans-nationalise the company’s RT&D efforts.

Building on EADS’ core cooperation in Russia

The entrepreneurial spirit inherent in the Skolkovo high-technology hub will help promote links with Russian industry, in particular with the growing number of small start-up companies that are pursuing advances in simulation, modelling and testing – becoming world leaders in niche areas. This will build on EADS’ established, and expanding, relationships with research institutes, universities and government agencies that have been the traditional core of its Russian research and technology outreach.

Establishing EADS Innovation Works Russia is a natural step forward in cementing the company’s relationship with the Russian research community. Operating from Skolkovo, the company will be able to access Russia’s talent pool more easily, and in return, create major business, economic and employment opportunities for Russians. As a result, the Skolkovo innovation base is a win-win situation for Russia, Europe and EADS.