Space

EADS The cornerstone of European reorganisation in Space

Paris, 28 May 2003

* Unique prime contractor on ARIANE 5
* Major partner in the Galileo programme

EADS, in the aftermath of the key meeting of the ministerial conference of ESA members, noted with satisfaction the decisions concerning two major programmes, namely Ariane 5 and Galileo, the cornerstones of strategic independence for European space.

In this context, EADS is confirmed as prime contractor on Ariane 5. This simplification will help to strongly increase efficiency and to reduce Ariane’s production costs ESA members also confirmed their financial support to allow the on flight come back of Ariane 5 launcher and to facilitate an institutional market.. ESA has, moreover, officially launched Galileo, in which development EADS will play a key role with respect to development of the platform, the payload and the ground system, as with the potential launch of 30 satellites in the next 5 years.

"We are more than delighted with the first step of decisions taken by the European Space Agency Ministerial Council, even if the further product enhancement of Ariane 5 and reuseable alternatives will be only on the agenda of next year” said Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich EADS CEOs. "For more than a year, we have been implementing a reorganisation plan for our entire industrial space structure, in order to be ready to pick up the industrial challenge which Europe has just chosen: keeping a free access to Space, continued control of our independence and self capability to understand and control all situations”.

With a turnover of 2.2 billion euros in 2002 and an order backlog of some 4 billion euros, EADS' space activity is the industry leader in Europe, 20% of its programmes are associated with military space launchers, telecommunications and earth observation.
About EADS:

EADS is a global aerospace and defence company and is the world’s second largest in terms of revenues with € 29.9 billion in 2002. EADS has a workforce of more than 100,000 and is a market leader in defence technology, commercial aircraft, helicopters, space, military transport and combat aircraft, as well as related services. It’s family of leading brands includes the commercial aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter, the space company Astrium and MBDA, the world’s second largest missile company. EADS is the biggest partner in the Eurofighter consortium and heads the A400M military transport aircraft programme. The company has over 70 sites in Germany, France, Great Britain and Spain. It is active in many regions worldwide, including the U.S., Russia and Asia.

Contacts:

Rainer Ohler
+49 89 607 34 235

Miguel Sanchez
+34 91 585 77 89

Roland Sanguinetti
+33 1 42 24 24 26