EADS welcomes contract signature for 30 Ariane 5 launchers at ILA 2004 in Berlin

* € 3 billion order strengthens competitiveness of European space industry
* Implementation of new role for EADS SPACE Transportation as sole prime contractor for Ariane 5 production
* Presence of German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and French Minister Francois D’Aubert confirms Franco-German commitment to European space industry

Berlin, 10 May 2004

EADS sees great significance in the signing of a contract between Arianespace and EADS SPACE Transportation for the production and delivery of 30 Ariane 5 launchers between 2005 and 2010. "This is an important step towards strengthening the competitiveness of the European space industry," explained the EADS CEOs, Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich, “as it provides a clear commitment to Ariane for the rest of the decade.”

The contract was signed on Monday in the presence of the German chancellor Gerhard Schröder, the French Minister for Research François d’Aubert and ESA General Director Jean-Jacques Dordain at the International Aerospace Exhibition ILA 2004 in Berlin. “The presence of German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder and French Minister Francois D’Aubert confirms Franco-German commitment to European space industry,” Camus and Hertrich said.

"As Europe secures its long-term space access, it also provides a basis for its industry to continue to play a crucial role in high technology and the attractive markets of the future," said Camus and Hertrich in Berlin. “The contract also highlights the new role of EADS Space Transportation as the sole prime contractor of the Ariane 5.”

EADS SPACE Transportation’s tasks include production and delivery of the complete and fully tested spacecraft to Arianespace in Kourou/French Guyana.

About EADS:

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and releated services. In 2003 EADS, generated revenues of € 30.1 billion and employed a workforce of about 109,000. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and the joint venture MBDA, the second largest missile producer in the global market. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, is the prime contractor for the Ariane launcher, develops the A400M military transport aircraft and is the largest industrial partner for the European satellite navigation system Galileo.

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