Agusta Westland And BAE SYSTEMS Team For Air 9000
05 Jun 2003
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica and GKN company, and BAE Systems Australia today announced a teaming agreement to compete for the Commonwealth of Australia's Air 9000 programme - becoming its strategic, long-term partner.
The Air 9000 programme aims to rationalise the Australian Defence Force's (ADF's) military helicopter fleet, including the number of aircraft types and their support arrangements. The programme itself is multi-phased - Phase 2, the first project to be implemented under the Air 9000 programme, is for the supply and support of an additional squadron of troop-lift helicopters for the Australian Army.
Under the teaming agreement, the companies will offer the EH101 as the new additional troop-lift helicopter and for the eventual retirement of the Army Blackhawk fleet.
The reach and payload capabilities of the EH101 will introduce to Australia a new and truly strategic helicopter capability and enable the ADF to meet its fleet rationalisation objectives over time. Variants of this helicopter are already in service in the United Kingdom, Italy, Canada and Japan.
Mr Giacomo Saponaro, Managing Director of EHI and AgustaWestland Business Director said: "Project Air 9000 represents the most sophisticated rotary wing acquisition program of any military force in the world. The programme will set new benchmarks for innovative and cost effective delivery of military rotary wing capability."
Mr Saponaro advised that the AgustaWestland/BAE Systems Australia solution would put Australian industry at the forefront of exciting new opportunities in the global aerospace economy and that he anticipated other significant Australian companies would soon be joining the team.
Mr Harry Bradford, Managing Director Customer Solutions & Support - BAE Systems Australia said: "Together, AgustaWestland and BAE Systems Australia offer a powerful partnership for the ADF, based on strong capabilities recognised globally. AgustaWestland is an exceptional helicopter manufacturer and BAE Systems Australia has a proven track record for service delivery, particularly in support of the ADF's helicopter force. Our partnership will underwrite the delivery of ADF rotary wing capability for the coming decades."
About AgustaWestland:
AgustaWestland, the Anglo-Italian Helicopter Company jointly owned by Finmeccanica of Italy and the UK's GKN, is firmly established as the leading player in the world helicopter market with revenues of EUR 2,722 million. The company offers an unrivalled range of products designed to satisfy the most diverse requirements of civil and military customers. Committed to delivering outstanding products and services, AgustaWestland is capable of supporting wide-ranging missions in globally competitive markets. AgustaWestland has its primary operations in Cascina Costa, Italy, and Yeovil, United Kingdom. EHI is an AgustaWestland company.
About EHI:
EHI is a wholly-owned subsidiary of AgustaWestland for the management of the EH101 programme.
About BAE SYSTEMS:
BAE Systems is a systems company, innovating for a safer world. BAE Systems employs nearly 100,000 people including Joint Ventures, and has annual sales of around 12 billion. The company offers a global capability in air, sea, land and space with a world-class prime contracting ability supported by a range of key skills. BAE Systems designs, manufactures and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, guided weapon systems and a range of other defence products. BAE Systems is dedicated to making the intelligent connections needed to deliver innovative solutions.
In Australia, the company employs 2,500 people, supports customers at more than 50 locations across the country and has its centre of operations in Adelaide. BAE Systems is a leader in engineering and systems integration and is a major supplier of support services, electronics and software.
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