The fearsome Tiger and multirole NH 90, along with military helicopters
yet to be developed, will be the key to Eurocopter's maintaining
strong growth rates, according to Fabrice Bregier, the firm's
president and CEO, at Monday's press conference. Last year, Eurocopter's
sales climbed to 301 units, a 12% increase from 2001, he said.
"Clearly, it was a good year," Bregier continued, in
spite of several products still being in development. Eurocopter
now is number one in worldwide helicopter sales with a "huge
market share" of 47 % and revenues of 2.5 billion euros,
he claimed. Revenues should increase to 3.5 billion euros by 2006.
Notably, archrival Bell Helicopter Textron, competing for second
place with PZL, had only about one-third the sales of Eurocopter.
"I dare to say that we are the only global, international
helicopter company," Bregier crowed.
But exploiting the rapidly expanding military helicopter market
will be the key to sustaining such growth. Military helicopter
sales are expected to climb from 5.2 billion euros today to 10.5
billion in the next ten years, according to Eurocopter market
analysts. Eurocopter aims to capture 40 % of the sales, up from
a 25% share of the military market today.
During the same ten-year period, civil and public service helicopter
sales will hover at about 4% annual growth. Bregier said that
his firm developed "entirely modernized" aircraft through
a "step-by-step, low-risk approach" by investing 15%
of its profits in research and development. As a result, Eurocopter
has high tech aircraft that cover 90% of the military and civil
market segments, save very heavy lift machines such as the Chinook.
With 188 orders for its Tiger combat helicopter from France, Germany
and Australia, Eurocopter is well positioned to exploit the military
sector. Initial entry into service with France should occur before
the end of the year. To boost sales, Eurocopter plans to develop
a multirole HAD variant of the Tiger that combines HAP/UHT technology
with the capability to launch Trigat anti-tank missiles.
The multi mission 24,000+ pound NH 90, featuring an all-composite
airframe and fly-by-wire flight controls, also is doing well with
more than 670 orders and options. "This fits the most stringent
NATO requirements," Bregier asserted. France, Germany, Italy,
the Netherlands and Portugal, plus Norway, Sweden and Finland,
have ordered NH 90. Greece, Oman, Belgium and Australia are prime
prospects. The aircraft can perform naval operations, SAR missions
and drop troops into battle zones. NH 90 is due to enter service
with the German army next year.
According to Bregier, such versatility led Lockheed Martin Canada
on June 15 to sign a teaming agreement with Eurocopter subsidiary
NH Industries to vie for Canada's Maritime Helicopter Project.
If the consortium's proposal is selected, Eurocopter expects to
ink a contract for NH 90 deliveries to Canada in 2004.
