Marignane, 22 January 2003
With orders for 301 new helicopters, the Eurocopter Group has strengthened its leading position in the world, by capturing 47% of the market for the number of new civil and military helicopters, equivalent to 29% by value.
These orders are made up of: 38 EC 120 B Colibris, 108 single-machine Ecureuil/Fennecs, 24 EC 130 B4s, 4 twin-engine Ecureuil/Fennecs, 48 EC 135s, 3 BK 117s, 2 EC 145s, 7 Dauphin/Panthers, 5 EC 155 B/B1s, 26 Super Puma/EC 225 & Cougar/EC 725s, 14 NH 90s, and 22 Tigers.
The total number of new and pre-owned helicopters ordered (51 pre-owned machines have been sold by Eurocopter and its subsidiaries), along with the R & D activities, customer support services and miscellaneous activities, are together valued at 2,730 M EUR (million euros). The breakdown of the orders is 51% for the civil sector and 49% for the military sector.
The consolidated orders for production helicopters are worth 1,430 M EUR.
In 2002, the following major military contracts were signed for: 22 Tigers (Australia), 14 NH 90s (Norway), 10 EC 725s (France), and 2 Cougars (Slovenia). In the civil and parapublic sector, the main contracts included: 13 AS 350 B3s for the US Border Patrol (USA), 5 AS 350 B3s for the California Highway Patrol (USA), 6 AS 350 B2s for the Los Angeles County Sheriff (USA), 6 AS 350 B3s for the Helicopter Service Organization, 6 EC 135s for Corporate Jet (USA), 9 EC 135s for the BGS (Germany), 3 EC 135s for the Interior Ministry (Romania), 3 EC 135s for Nolas (Norway), and 3 AS 365 N3s for 3 corporate clients (Italy), 2 EC 155s for the BGS (Germany), and 5 AS 332 L2s for CHC (UK) and 6 AS 332 L2 for Bond Helicopters (UK).
In the traditional ceremony to present the season's greetings to the press, Jean-François Bigay noted that "these orders reflect the tremendous market popularity of the Ecureuil and Super Puma/Cougar, including the EC 225/EC 725, the latest addition to the family. He added: "These results also confirm we have a market winner in the EC 135."
Thanks to its new helicopter range, Eurocopter has once again enjoyed an excellent year on the civil and parapublic markets, while maintaining its position on the open part of the military market.
In 2002, Eurocopter's consolidated turnover reached 2510 M EUR, up by 12% over 2001. The amount mainly covers customer support services, R & D activities, and the delivery of 367 helicopters. The civil and parapublic sector accounts for 58% of the turnover, and the military sector for 42%. The export share was 60%.
Eurocopter boosted its market shares compared to 2001.
Civil and Parapublic
Eurocopter delivered 320 helicopters, equivalent to 60% of the market by value, as against 51% in 2001. The company has therefore strengthened its hold on the No. 1 position. The key to this success is, in part, the renewal of the Eurocopter helicopter range, which has once again placed the company well ahead of Bell.
Military
This year as last year, the worldwide military market generated around 300 orders for new helicopters, of which 70% were for heavy and attack helicopters.
The military market in 2002 faithfully reflected the fleet replacement programs initiated in 1999.
However, the resumption of the large US programs (20% in 2002) will naturally reduce the size of the market open to Eurocopter.
With regard to the 40th anniversary of the Franco-German Elysée Palace Treaty, Jean-François Bigay recalled the excellent relations existing in the rotorcraft sector between France and Germany since 1963. One outcome of the Treaty has been the creation of Eurocopter, and of joint programs, including the Tiger, which is due to join the armed forces this year.
Main Events in 2002
Eurocopter celebrated 10 years of its existence, during which 10 new types of helicopters have been designed.
Products
Rollout and maiden flight of the first production UHT Tiger for the German Army.
Australia orders 22 of the ARH version of the Tiger.
Norway confirms its decision to purchase the NH 90 by a contract for 14 helicopters.
Greece chooses the NH 90 as its tactical transport helicopter.
18 AS 350 B3s are ordered for law enforcement and patrol missions in the US.
First deliveries of the EC 145 to the French Civil Defense, Hesse Police, French Gendarmerie and REGA, a Swiss rescue organization.
First flight of a new version of the US Coast Guard HH 65 Dolphin, re-engined with Turbomeca Arriel 2C1.
The US Coast Guard fleet of Dolphins tops 700,000 flight hours.
The Hong Kong Government Flying Service receives the last of its 5 EC 155 B1s.
France orders 10 EC 725 helicopters for its special forces.
CHC places an order for 5 AS 332 L2 helicopters for the oil industry, and Bond Helicopters in the UK orders 6 more.
Mating of the first TTH and NFH production versions of the NH 90.
R & D
First flight with fiber-optic controls on an EC 135.
Maiden flight of the EC 225/725 re-engined with the new Turbomeca Makila 2A.
The NH 90 airframe crash test is a success.
First lift-off of the EC 155 All Weather Helicopter.
Eurocopter's Worldwide Reach
Acquisition of Australian Aerospace to meet industrial development needs in Australia.
Two new subsidiaries created; Eurocopter Chile and Eurocopter Malaysia.
A new US helicopter plant will be located in the State of Mississippi.
Eurocopter takes a 21% holding in COCH GAMEC with a view to developing helicopter maintenance activities in the People's Republic of China.
Miscellaneous
Inauguration of HELISIM's Simulation Center in Marignane.
The German Army selects Eurocopter for the conversion of its CH 53 transport helicopters for IFR operations.
Promising prospects in the Eastern European countries, which include the three new customer-countries of Azerbaijan, Lithuania and Slovenia.
Airbus selects Eurocopter Deutschland as consortium leader for the A380 doors.
To build up the production of the Tiger and NH 90 helicopters, and to develop them into benchmark products.
To consolidate Eurocopter's position in the civil and parapublic sectors.
To make our customer support more effective through a new structural approach and a denser network of "on-the-spot" services.
To control the growth in turnover by confirming that the results meet the targets of the parent company.
For further information
| Jean Louis ESPES |
Phone: + 33 (0)4 42 85 95 55 Fax: + 33 (0)4 42 85 95 64 |
|
Eurocopter Aéroport International Marseille Provence F-13725 Marignane Cedex France | |
| Christina GOTZHEIN |
Phone: + 49 (0) 89 6000 64 88 Fax: + 49 (0) 89 6000 44 37 |
|
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH D-81663 Munich Germany | |
| Chantal LINARES |
Phone: + 33 (0)4 42 85 60 51 Fax: + 33 (0)4 42 85 95 64 |
|
Eurocopter Aéroport International Marseille Provence F-13725 Marignane Cedex – France | |
| Christoph MÜLLER |
Phone: + 49 (0) 906 71 45 65 Fax: + 49 (0) 906 71 46 74 |
|
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH D-86607 Donauwörth Germany |
Web site: www.eurocopter.com
