BAE Systems awards Eurofighter Typhoon contract to Aerosud International breakthrough for South Africa
07 Aug 2006
Aerosud, the Pretoria-based aerostructures manufacturer, has been awarded a contract by BAE Systems to produce components for the Eurofighter Typhoon, one of the most advanced swing-role fighters in operational service today.
This USD $20-million (approximately R137,7-million at current exchange rates) contract is the latest BAE Systems order placed with Aerosud under a USD$100-million strategic partnership, which was formed between the two companies in 2004.
Set to run for at least six and a half years, the contract encompasses the manufacture of up to 3,500 detail parts and minor assemblies for Eurofighter Typhoon, Europes largest defence contract.
While strengthening our partnership with Aerosud, this contract also illustrates BAE Systems ability to deliver new export business opportunities to South African industry. Not only are we fulfilling our Industrial Participation (IP) obligations arising from the Hawk and Gripen procurements, but this partnership goes much further, acting as a catalyst for growth in South Africas aerospace industry beyond the parameters for our IP programme, explained BAE Systems MD, Mike OCallaghan.
Aerosud is increasingly recognised as a leader in the South African industry, but this new Typhoon order from BAE Systems adds to our credibility and supports our ambition to become established as a strong, reliable and credible supplier of niche services and products in an increasingly competitive global market, remarked Aerosud Managing Director and founder, Dr Paul Potgieter.
Eurofighter Typhoon will provide a cornerstone of NATOs defence capability for the next 30 years, and has been developed by the leading aerospace companies, Alenia Aeronautica, BAE SYSTEMS, EADS in Germany and EADS in Spain, of the four partner countries, Italy, United Kingdom, Germany and Spain.
The Eurofighter Typhoon partner nations plan to take delivery of 620 aircraft: 180 for Germany, 121 for Italy, 87 for Spain and 232 for the United Kingdom. An additional export order of 18 Eurofighter Typhoon has been signed with the Government of Austria. BAE Systems Air Systems is responsible for final assembly and delivery of 232 aircraft to the United Kingdoms Royal Air Force. These aircraft are assembled at the companys Warton facility in North West England.
With the signature of the Tranche 2 Production Contract on 14 December 2004, Eurofighter received the production go-ahead for more than 400 aircraft. The aircraft has the largest confirmed production contract order book of any next generation fighter.
About BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems is the premier transatlantic defence and aerospace company delivering a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, information technology solutions and customer support services. With more than 100,000 employees worldwide, BAE Systems sales exceeded GBP 15.4 billion (US$28 billion) in 2005.
For further information please contact:
Linden Birns,
BAE Systems South Africa
Tel: +27 21 789 2977
Mobile: +27 82 568 8031
linden@icon.co.za
Dr Paul Potgieter, Aerosud
Managing Director
Tel: +27 12 662 5145
Mobile: +27 82 900 0343
paul@aerosud.co.za
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