Eurocopter welcomes the decision of the Spanish Government to select the Tiger helicopter, a choice that endorses it as the new reference for combat helicopters.
The decision not only marks a new step in the building of a European defense industry, but it also allows Spain to become the third fully-fledged member of the Tiger program, along with France and Germany.
The version selected ? HAD for Support Suppressor Helicopter ? will also equip the French Army Air Corps (ALAT).
After this announcement, Eurocopter Group President Fabrice Brégier noted, "coming after the success in Australia with the ARH version, Spain's choice confirms the Tiger as the multi-purpose combat helicopter in the post cold war period that is best suited to the new geostrategic situation". He added: "I am particularly pleased to note the excellent cooperation that has existed between the national authorities and companies involved, and that has allowed this formative project for Eurocopter and for the European defense industry to conclude successfully."
The new military and geostrategic environment in the world has slowly but surely demonstrated the need for a multi-role machine that can be quickly reconfigured for the mission required at a given time. The HAD is the ultimate answer as it combines the capabilities of outstanding air-to-air combat (30 mm turret-mounted gun and Mistral air-to-air missiles), combat and fire support (rocket pods), and tank suppression (Trigat missiles).
Derived from the HAP Combat Support version, the HAD has 14% more engine power and is equipped with an anti-tank system featuring the new generation Trigat developed for the German UHT Tiger with "fire-and-forget" missiles.
The new HAD Tiger will be developed in close cooperation by EADS CASA, Eurocopter and Eurocopter Espana, the upgraded engine by the Spanish engine manufacturer ITP and European consortium MTR, and the countermeasures system by INDRA.
One consequence of the Spanish decision is to focus the Spanish aeronautical and defense sector on the Tiger program and to reinforce new sectors such as small gas turbines, defense electronics and helicopter manufacturing. Spanish industry will in this way become a major partner in the Tiger program.
Eurocopter Espana will be a partner in Eurocopter Tiger GmbH - the prime contractor for the Tiger program ? and will therefore be closely associated with the Tiger's development.
Eurocopter Espana will be the sole source manufacturer of the rear fuselages for the Tigers produced by the entire program, including the export machines. This will make it possible to create a bona fide helicopter design, production and support capability in Spain. A final assembly line will also be set up in the country.
More than 20 Spanish companies will contribute to the success of the program, right from the development phase in conjunction with the French and German companies already working on the Tiger program:
INDRA, AMPER PROGRAMAS, CESA, GAMESA / FIBERTECHNICS, and TECHNOBIT
In this context and as a partner in the program, the Spanish industry will have access to the Tiger's data and technology, which gives Spain the freedom to make specific adaptations to its Tiger helicopters and to perform their operational maintenance.
Fabrice Brégier declared: "This decision consolidates Eurocopter's strategy and firm resolve to develop its third industrial pole in Europe".
In addition to this cooperation on the Tiger helicopter, Germany has proposed that Spain take part in the production of the Trigat LR missile. INDRA, SANTA, BARBARA, EXPAI, and IZAR are some of the companies that will benefit from the transfer of activities covered in the offset agreement.
EADS is a global aerospace and defence company, and is the world?s second largest in terms of revenues, having achieved ?30.8 billion in 2001. EADS maintains a workforce of more than 100,000 and is a market leader in defence technologies, commercial aircraft, helicopters, space, military transport and combat aircraft, as well as related services. Its family of leading brands includes the commercial aircraft maker Airbus; Eurocopter, the world's largest helicopter manufacturer; Astrium, the space company and MBDA, the world's second largest missile company. EADS is also the biggest partner in the Eurofighter consortium and heads the A400M military transport aircraft programme. EADS has more than 70 facilities in France, Germany, Spain and the UK. It is active in markets around the world, including the U.S. and Asia.