France’s Airbus Helicopters and Romanian company IAR have signed a general agreement for an exclusive cooperation for the heavy twin engine H215M multi-role helicopter.
Under the agreement IAR, the Romanian national leader in aeronautics, will become the prime contractor for the H215M for any future orders by the Romanian Ministry of Defence to replace their ageing fleet.
Airbus Helicopters has been present in Romania for over 15 years through its customer centre, Airbus Helicopters Romania, with about 75 per cent of its turnover achieved through export contracts.
Airbus has a 10,000sq m factory based in Brasov, which was inaugurated in 2016 and will house production of the H215 in Romania.
IAR Brasov is a majority state-owned company which in 2016 generated revenues of €34 million and employed a workforce of 316. The firm offers a wide range of services for the Romanian Army as well as for international customers. The services consist mainly of maintenance, repair and upgrade of military helicopters and the supply of spare parts.
Airbus, meanwhile, is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2016 it generated revenues of €67 billion and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as Europe’s number one space enterprise and the world’s second largest space business.
In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.
Neculai Banea, General Director of IAR, said: “We are proud to have signed this general agreement that results from almost 50 years of cooperation between IAR and Airbus Helicopters. IAR has built around 360 helicopters under licence thanks to this successful partnership with Airbus Helicopters and we are looking forward to customising and supporting the H215M.”
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The post Airbus and IAR sign exclusive agreement for H215M in Romania appeared first on Defence Online.
