Julian Moxon/PARIS
Record sales last year, coupled with the finalisation of NH90 and Tiger helicopter production contracts last June and in 1999 respectively, have ensured Eurocopter's financial health "for the next ten years", says president Jean-François Bigay. "We have consolidated our leadership position, well ahead of Bell," he adds.
Orders last year from helicopter sales were valued at €3.45 billion ($3.3 billion), including 243 NH90s worth €2.80 billion. It also secured contracts for customer support valued at €637 million.
Excluding the NH90, sales increased from 222 helicopters to 288, but overall value fell because of a drop in orders for the high-value Cougar/Super Puma line. Turnover rose 17% to €2.05 billion, 55% from the civil sector and two thirds in exports.
Bigay says almost 500 helicopters were delivered globally, compared to 479 in 1999, with Eurocopter capturing a 49% share for the second year running. Markets in Europe and the USA remained "very buoyant", with Asia stable and signs of "slight expansion" in South America.
The prime contracts targeted this year for the NH-90 include the Nordic Standard Helicopter Programme, which combines Danish, Finnish, Swedish and Norwegian requirements for 50-100 naval/ utility helicopters - although Bigay hints at continuing problems due to "significant historic differences" between national requirements. A slightly larger cabin is being offered to satisfy the Danish requirement.
A prime Tiger export target is Spain, with talks said to be "very complex", and centring on it taking a share in the programme. Another is Australia, where bids are due to be submitted at the end of April, with a final decision in November.
Legal wrangles over production rights have slowed work with the Euromil consortium on developing an export version of the Mil-38. Bigay says that with the Russian authorities unhelpful, "we can hardly invest massively in the programme".
Source: Flight International
