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EADS and Canada: Opportunities for sustainable cooperation in aerospace and defence

September 22, 2008

EADS offers extensive cooperation possibilities for Canadian industry – providing advantages that include the opportunity of working with one of the world’s largest aerospace and defence companies, and opening of transatlantic gateways for Canada’s industry into European and global markets.

The EADS CASA C-295 has a significant amount of direct Canadian content, which can be further increased if the aircraft is selected for Canada’s Fixed Wing SAR mission.

Speaking at this week’s Western Canadian Aerospace Alliance Conference & Trade Show in Alberta, Martin Sefzig, EADS CASA’s Director of Canadian programmes, said EADS’ current and future engagement in Canadian commercial and military projects creates a full range of opportunities for industrial participation.

He noted that EADS currently employs over 600 persons in Canada, and directly in-sources work valued at more than $800 million annually.  The company’s activities involve more than 100 suppliers, and create 4,000-plus jobs through indirect employment throughout the country.

Sefzig cited the EADS CASA C-295 as an example of Canadian participation in EADS programs.  The C-295 is a leading multi-role transport aircraft in the international market, and each aircraft sold has approximately 45-50 percent direct Canadian content.  Suppliers on the C-295 include Pratt & Whitney Canada (engines), Thales Canada (avionics) and CAE (simulators and training).

The C-295 is being offered for Canada’s Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue (FWSAR) mission requirement, and the inclusion of search sensors and mission systems would elevate Canadian content to around 70 percent, while in-service support by a Canadian prime contractor amounts to approximately 85 percent.  The remaining percentage of the acquisition cost and in-service support could be met – and exceeded – by direct and indirect Canadian industrial and regional benefits (IRB) from coast-to-coast.

Another example outlined by Sefzig is the EADS A310 MRTT (multi-role tanker/transport aircraft), which was acquired by both the Canadian Forces and the German Air Force.  EADS CASA over-fulfilled the IRB requirements for the Canadian programme through indirect offsets with three different companies in three different Provinces, successfully completing the effort this year.

An overview of EADS activity in Canada by business activity includes:

  • Airbus: 30-plus suppliers across Canada, acquiring between $300-400 million annually from companies large and small, with products present on all aircraft, including the new A350 XWB and A380 jetliners, and the A400M military airlifter;
  • Eurocopter:  Facilities in Ft. Erie, Ontario, and Richmond, British Columbia, with over 200 employees, supporting over 520 helicopters in Canada.  Eurocopter– will deliver 31 new rotary-wing aircraft in 2008. Activities include rotary-wing aircraft completions, sales, retrofit, conversions, aircraft maintenance and technical support, and composite component manufacturing for the EC145 / EC135 product lines (EC145 kits, EC135 stabilizers);
  • Defence & Security:  Eryx anti-tank missile program with Canadian Land Forces. Research & development and engineering support for North America based in Gatineau, Quebec City, for mission-critical 9-1-1 systems (160+ people). Continued engagement in Department of National Defence projects offers industrial and regional benefits;
  • Astrium: Agreement between the Canadian Space Agency and European Space Agency facilitates participation in European Union projects (Galileo, ExoMars). Joint-development of satellites and space applications. Northern surveillance opens area of cooperation through space-based assets and ground stations;
  • Military Transport Aircraft:  Purchaser of Canadian engines, landing gear, simulators, avionics for entire family of aircraft (EADS CASA C-212, CN-235 and C-295; Airbus A400M, A310 and A330);
  • Corporate:  Memorandum of Understanding with the National Research Council  to collaborate on projects related to manufacturing and environmental technologies, as well as aerodynamics and airborne tests that should help reduce fuel consumption and adverse environmental impacts.