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Camus: Planning For Growth in Asia,
Despite Global Slow-Down
"We consider Asia to be a top priority and a key export market
for EADS future success" Philippe Camus, joint CEO of EADS
told reporters in a press conference held yesterday at Asian Aerospace
2002. "We plan to increase our presence in this important markets
by cooperation projects, direct investments in local companies,
and joint ventures" said Rainer Hertrich, Joint CEO of EADS,
"We are experienced in cooperation is this region, and are
versatile and adaptable to the cultural, religious and economic
uniqueness of each country." An example for such joint venture
was one launched with Singapore Technologies in 1977 to support
up to 250 helicopters in SouthEast Asia.
This program evolved later into another joint development program
that yielded sales of some 400 EC-120 helicopters in the region
since 1993. In the past decade, Singapore awarded EADS member
companies an impressively amount of business -- over US$ 10 billion,
including 32 Airbus A340-300/500 and A380 for Singapore Airlines
and 70 smaller Airbus 319/320/321 for Silk Air, a communications
satellite for Singapore telecom, Cougar helicopters for the Singapore
Navy, Mistral, Milan and air defense missiles, encrypted communications
equipment and mobile bridges.
With its strengthened position and orchestrated efforts in
the area, EADS expects to match this volume in coming years, competing
on follow-on commercial orders and new defense programs including
naval and utility helicopters, short-range air defense missiles,
Typhoon fighters and associated armmament and equipment, and an
array of unmanned air vehicles. EADS is also operating in other
locations in the region, including: India, Thailand, Malaysia,
Indonesia, China, Taiwan, Korea, Australia and Japan. The company
gained substantial foothold in the region through the sales of
736 Airbus aircraft, of which 532 are currently operating with
50 customers and operators. Other major programs include the delivery
ATR-72, Super Puma, Dauphin, EC-135 and EC-155 helicopters in
the region,
With an ambitious goal to become "A leader in everything
that flies," EADS is ranked No.1 in commercial launch vehicles,
and No. 2 in commercial aircraft, helicopters and missile systems.
With a total turnover of E30.8 billion in 2001, EADS is ranked
No. 2 among global aerospace and defense companies, trailing only
Boeing. Both companies have a balanced mix of commercial and defense
business that are esential to sustaining their long-term leadership
in the market. In fact, by the end of 2001 EADS presented a healthy
backlog of E183.7 billion, the strongest in the industry. Representing
39% growth compared to year 2000, this backlog consists mainly
of orders for commercial aircraft (1,575) which is influenced
by the downturn in the civil market since 9/11. "EADS has
taken prompt measures to meet the market downturn challenges,
by implementing cost savings, coupled with production flexibilities."
Said Camus, "However, since September 2001, Qantas and Singapore
Airlines, the lead customers for our A-380 program have reconfirmed
their full support for the program". Chamus also told Show
News that the latest addition to the Airbus family, the A-340-500
would soon be delivered to Singapore Airlines, to facilitate the
longest direct connection in the market, an 18-hour non-stop flight
from Singapore to Los Angeles.
The defense backlog has also doubled in 2001, with the progress
of orders for 196 A-400M Transport Aircraft to NATO air forces.
Another important win was the armed reconnaissance helicopter
program for Australia, under which 24 Tiger helicopters will be
locally cooproduced. Eurofighter is currently competing against
Boeing, Dassault and Sukhoi on a fighter aircraft tender in Korea,
where the favorite contender is the Boeing F-15K, better prospects
are expected in the next competition in 2004, expected in Singapore
for the replacement of A-4s.
By Tamir Eshel
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