03/21/07
Eurocopter has been very active in the Australasia region over the past years. It has won most of the new helicopter orders both on the civil and military market and has largely developed its industrial footprint
• Capture of 77% of the new civil sales over the past five years
• Eurocopter has become a main defence supplier
• Australia is now playing a key role in Eurocopter's global supply chain
• Next challenges for Eurocopter the selection of a new Helicopter Aircrew
Training System for the Australian Defence Forces (ADF) and replacement of
Navy helicopters
Capture of 77% of the new civil sales over the past five years
Demand for helicopter has been considerably increasing in Australia. New Zealand with its 4 million inhabitants has the highest rate of helicopters per inhabitant worldwide.The private sector as well as the utility sector have been the most dynamic market segments. Eurocopter has been awarded most of the contracts to perform the related missions, respectively passenger transport and aerial work, while mainly selling helicopters belonging to the successful Ecureuil family and especially the AS350. The market of new civil helicopters is indeed oriented towards the single engine aircrafts. Eurocopter currently operates a fleet of around 350 helicopters in Australasia, among them 170 in Australia and 145 in New Zealand. It represents a 40% fleet share.The dominant helicopters of the fleet are the AS350 (200), AS355 (25), EC120 (19).
Market segments which should drive the growth of the helicopter market in the future are the oil and gas segment, the EMS segment as well as the Corporate/VIP segment.
Eurocopter has become a main supplier for the Ministry of Defence in Australia and New-Zealand
In December 2001, Eurocopter was selected to provide 22 Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters (ARH) to the Australian Army. In 2005, the Australian Federal Government ordered its first 12 MRH-90s as additional trooplift helicopters. Finally in June 2006, Australian Aerospace and the Australian Defence Material Organisation signed a contract to provide 34 MRH-90 helicopters to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the associated support for a period of ten years. The MRH-90 orders are part of the modernization and rationalization of the ADF helicopter fleet, which will develop a hardened and networked defence force. Australian Aerospace was awarded in October 2006 a renewal contract to maintain the Royal Australian Air Force fleet of Caribou and P-3C Orion transport and reconnaissance planes for a ten year period. These contracts confirm the trustworthy relationship that Eurocopter has built with the Australian government and have allowed Eurocopter to become a major supplier of the Ministry of Defence in Australia.
In July 2006, the government of New-Zealand ordered 9 NH90 for the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).
Another major success of the NH90 in the region was the selection in 2005 of this helicopter by the New-Zealand Ministry of Defence. 9 units were ordered in July 2006 for the Royal New-Zealand Air Force (RNZAP) to replace the ageing Iroquois of RNZAF.
Australia is now playing a key role in Eurocopter's global supply chain
Eurocopter's subsidiary, Australian Aerospace, was formed on 1st January 2003, through the merger of Eurocopter International Pacific Limited and Australian Aerospace Pty Ltd. At present, Australian Aerospace has approximately 600 staff and a turnover of 660 Million AUD with facilities in Sydney, Richmond, Brisbane, Redcliffe, Oakey, Melbourne, Adelaide and Auckland. Australian Aerospace tests, supplies, maintains, modifies and enhances civil and military aircraft for the Australian and export markets. It supports aroud 350 helicopters in the region. Two assembly lines are now currently operational in Brisbane, one for the EC120 and one for Tiger. A MRH-90 assembly line is being built and will be running in April 2007. Eurocopter is currently investing in a composite facility in Queensland. All these local production and support activities make Australia one of the cornerstones of the Eurocopter network global supply chain.
New challenges for Eurocopter
Australian Aerospace welcomes the news that the Australian Government has given First Pass approval for a new Helicopter Aircrew Training System for the ADF
Australian Aerospace and its parent company Eurocopter have extensive experience in the supply of customised, integrated training solutions. This is best exemplified through the day¬to-day achivements at the German Army Training School in Buckeburg.
Australian Aerospace and Eurocopter are available and ready to support the Commonwealth (CoA) of Australia’s current analysis of the solutions that the industry can propose to better prepare pilots and aircrew to convert to the ADF’s current and future combat helicopter fleet, including the ARH Tiger and the multi-role MRH-90, which Australian Aerospace is supplying to the ADF. AA is looking forward to meeting the exciting challenge of further extending its strategic partnership with CoA through the Air 9000 Phase 7 project.
About Eurocopter
Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs approx. 14,000 people. In 2006, Eurocopter confirmed its position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer with a turnover of 3.8 billion euros, orders for 615 new helicopters, and a 52% percent market share in the civil and parapublic sectors. Overall, the Group’s products account for 30% percent of the total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence is ensured by its 17 subsidiaries on five continents, along with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and maintenance centres. More than 9,800 Eurocopter helicopters are currently in service with over 2,800 customers in 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and military helicopter range in the world.
100 years of vertical flight
In 1907, Paul Cornu performed history’s first ever vertical flight. Since then, thanks to
pioneering spirits, technological advances and innovative minds, the helicopter has become a
key to saving lives, protecting citizens and contributing to economic development the world
over. In 2007, Eurocopter is proud to celebrate this anniversary and to share its passion for
helicopters.
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