12 Cougars and 6 Panthers for the Bulgarian Ministry of Defense
On January 28, 2005, Mr. Svinarov, the Bulgarian Defense Minister and Mr. Luc Barrière, the Eurocopter Senior Vice-President for Sales & Marketing, signed a contract in Sofia for the supply of twelve AS 532 AL Cougar helicopters and six AS 565 MB Panther helicopters.
Marignane, 28 January 2005
The deliveries of the 18 helicopters are scheduled on a 3 years period. The 3 first aircraft of the Cougar type will be delivered by end 2006.
This contract specifies the delivery of 12 Cougars to the Bulgarian Air Force . Eight of these aircraft will perform tactical transport missions and the four others will fly Combat SAR missions.
The six Panthers for the Bulgarian Navy will perform sea surveillance and search and rescue missions; along with anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface operations.
The acquisition of the Cougar helicopters is part of the restructuring initiated following Bulgaria's entry into NATO in March 2004. If necessary, the aircraft, which will be operated by the Air Force, may be sent to external theater of operations to assist NATO and UN missions.
The AS 532 Cougar is a twin-engine helicopter designed for tactical transport with a maximum take-off weight of 9,000 kg (9,350 kg with a sling load). The aircraft is powered by two Turboméca Makila 1A1 turboshaft engines each developing 1,877 shp. In its AL version, the helicopter may be equipped with side- or pod-mounted guns and rocket launchers. 682 aircraft from the Super Puma/Cougar and EC 225/EC 725 family have already been sold to 90 customers in 48 countries.
The AS 565 MB Panther is a twin-engine helicopter with a maximum take-off weight of 4,300 kg, which offers exceptional performances. The aircraft is equipped with two Turboméca Arriel 2C turboshaft engines each developing 977 shp, governed by a FADEC (Full Authority Digital Engine Control). The FADEC provides unbeatable advantages over competing helicopters in terms of increased performance and engine service life, and heightens safety by reducing crew workload, a particularly valued asset in combat zones.
835 Dauphin/Panther/EC 155s have been ordered by 164 customers in 59 countries.
Eurocopter is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS. EADS is a global company specializing in the aerospace and defence sectors and related services. In 2003, EADS generated revenues of €30.1 billion, and employed a workforce of over 109,000. EADS includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus; Eurocopter, the world's largest helicopter manufacturer; and joint venture MBDA, the world's second largest missile company. EADS is also the biggest partner in the Eurofighter consortium and is developing the A400M military transport aircraft. EADS is the lead industrial partner in the European Galileo programme for satellite-based navigation.
For further information, please contact:
Jean-Louis ESPES
Eurocopter
Aéroport International Marseille Provence
13725 Marignane Cedex – France
Tel.: + 33 (0) 4 42 85 95 55
Fax: + 33 (0) 4 42 85 95 64
Christina GOTZHEIN
Eurocopter Deutschland GmbH
D-81663 Munich - Germany
Tel.: + 49 (0) 89 60 00 64 88
Fax: + 49 (0) 89 60 00 44 37
Eduardo CONSEJO
Eurocopter España, S.A.
Carretera Barrio de la Fortuna, 10
28044 Cuatro Vientos, Madrid-Spain
Tel.: + 34 91 511 04 70
Fax: + 34 91 511 04 69
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