Thu, Dec 25, 2008
EC725s To Be Operated By Country's Armed Forces
Following the EU-Brazil summit, President Nicolas Sarkozy of
France and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva of Brazil
officially announced a new contract for 50 EC725 helicopters which
has been signed by the Brazilian government and a consortium formed
by Eurocopter and Brazilian subsidiary Helibras. The helicopters
will be operated by Brazil’s armed forces and the first
deliveries are scheduled for 2010.
This is the largest contract ever signed in South America and
will provide Brazil with a fleet that is capable of performing an
extremely wide range of missions. The contract will also allow
Eurocopter to continue its expansion in South America.
"This is an important achievement for Eurocopter, Helibras and
the Brazilian government," announced Eurocopter President Lutz
Bertling. "This contract is the result of the close industrial
partnership and the long-standing relationship that we have with
Brazil, and we are particularly proud that the EC725s will be
produced in this country. This contract heralds a new era for
Helibras, which will become an outstanding center of aeronautical
excellence in South America."
Louis Gallois, CEO of Eurocopter parent consortium EADS, added
"EADS considers Brazil as a priority country in its long term
partnership strategy. Our group has been developing its different
activities there for many years: Airbus, ATR, military transport
aircraft, space and security equipments. This major contract is
fully in line with our strategy."
This historic contract is part of the joint declaration on
defense cooperation signed by the French and Brazilian defense
secretaries on June 30, 2008 -- a date which also marked the 30th
anniversary of Helibras.
The new contract will double the production capacity and the
number of staff at the Itajuba plant, where the EC725 helicopters
will be manufactured, assembled and undergo maintenance support
activities after delivery. Eurocopter adds the contract will also
make a significant contribution to the development of
Brazil’s aeronautical industry, as local companies will be
closely involved in the manufacturing activities and will benefit
from technology transfers.
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