Airbus places additional work packages with Russian manufacturers

As part of its commitment to broaden industrial co-operation with Russia, Airbus is placing additional large work packages for aircraft of the A320, A330/A340 and A380 Families with two Russian companies - IRKUT Scientific Production Corporation and Voronezh Aircraft Production Association (VASO). The work packages will be worth $200 million over ten years to Russia, which means doubling the already contracted volume.

IRKUT's new work comprises wall panels for the A320 Family auxiliary centre tank, A330/A340 Family wing ribs and flap-track roller beams, plus other major components for the A320, A330/A340, and A380 aircraft. VASO will manufacture engine-pylon components for A320 Family and various components for the A380 aircraft, becoming a new Airbus co-operation partner in Russia. The first deliveries of the sub-assemblies and components from IRKUT and VASO to Airbus sites will begin, end 2006/ beginning 2007.

"With these agreements, Airbus successfully achieves the objectives of extensive co-operation programmes with the Russian aviation industry set out in the agreement signed in July 2001 between EADS, Airbus' major shareholder, and Rosaviakosmos. The co-operation programme is generating a turnover of more than $800 million over ten years for Russia," said Airbus SVP Industrial Strategy Russia Axel Krein.

Airbus' Russian programme covers numerous research and technology projects, design work, material procurement and manufacturing component delivery, as well as extensive co-operation in the certification field.

"Airbus is actively exploring opportunities to develop its co-operation with Russian aviation industry even further, including full risk-sharing partnership in future Airbus aircraft programmes, and has proposed a very far reaching partnership programme to the Russian aviation industry and government," added Airbus EVP Strategy and Co-operation, Olivier Andriès.

IRKUT is a vertically integrated holding company that designs, manufactures, sells and services military and civil aircraft. It is one of the leading manufacturers of the successful Sukhoi military fighter jet series. IRKUT's order book totals $3.9 billion, and its product range includes Su-30 fighters, the Yak 130 trainer aircraft, the amphibiousBe-200 aircraft and unmanned air vehicles. In December 2004, IRKUT won Airbus work packages worth $200 million over ten years, and is currently launching production of A320 Family components at its facility in Irkutsk. In December 2005 IRKUT sold ten percent of its shares to EADS.

VASO is one of the oldest Russian aircraft manufacturers and has built more than 20,000 aircraft of different types since its creation. Today, VASO mainly produces passenger and freighter versions of the Ilyushin Il-96-300/400, provides after sale services, handles re-engining of military freighter Il-76s and is preparing for series production of the new Antonov An-148 regional jet. Its order book totals $1.2 billion.

A leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the USA, China and Japan. In Moscow, it has a regional office, as well as technical representation providing on-the-spot airline support. The Airbus Engineering Centre ECAR, established jointly with the Kaskol Group, has been operational in Moscow since Spring 2003 and currently employs 150 Russian engineers.

Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS joint Company with BAE Systems.

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