EADS is throwing its weight behind the Eurofighter Typhoon in key export battles which pitch the aircraft directly against the Dassault Aviation Rafale.
The move is seen by industry observers as signalling a shift in policy by EADS, which has faced the politically thorny issue of how to position itself in sales campaigns involving both fighters.
The European aerospace giant inherited a 46% workshare in Eurofighter from its German and Spanish merger partners, while the French side contributed the former Aerospatiale's 46%stake in Dassault.
Industry sources in Europe say EADS has recently decided to adopt a more proactive role in backing the Typhoon over the Rafale in ongoing campaigns in countries such as Singapore. In some of these competitions the company is not the designated lead partner for export sales and had previously taken more of a "neutral" stance, say the sources, driven in part by the fact that EADS France is marketing weapons for both aircraft.
The Rafale and Typhoon are also going head-to-head to meet South Korea's F-X requirement, and are expected to be offered to Australia.
EADS, however, rejects assertions that it has ever offered less than unequivocal backing for the Typhoon. But one industry source believes that EADS has "struggled a little bit with its heritage".
Dassault is yet to secure an export order for its flagship Rafale but the aircraft is seen as a strong contender in the emerging Asian market as well as in South America. The Typhoon was selected over the Rafale by Greece, but budget constraints have prevented a contract from being finalised.
Eurofighter will be majority-controlled by EADS following the planned integration of its military aircraft interests with those of Italy's Finmeccanica to form the "European Military Aircraft Company", which would hold 67% of Eurofighter. BAE Systems holds the balance of the Eurofighter consortium.
Source: Flight International
