Japan's three major aerospace manufacturers have completed supplier contracts with Boeing for the new 787, but await the release of government loans to help fund development, writes Brendan Sobie.
Boeing said last week it had signed formal contracts with the Japan Aircraft Development Corporation (JADC), following up on memoranda of understanding that had been forged since three Japanese manufacturers were tapped in 2003 to build 35% of the 787. JADC, representing Fuji, Kawasaki and Mitsubishi, initially aimed to sign a master programme contract with Boeing by early 2004.
JADC and its three main member companies are now expected to award sub-supplier deals to several Asian manufacturers, including China Aviation Industries I (AVIC I), Korea Aerospace Industries and Korean Air Aerospace.
Fuji, Kawasaki and Mitsubishi are now covering mounting development costs for their portions of the 787 using internal funds because the Japan government has not yet finalised a loan scheme for JADC.
Source: Flight International
