EADS Acquires Australian Aerospace from Saab
Le Bourget, June 2001 – EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company will increase its industrial presence in Australia with the acquisition of the defence activities of Hawker Pacific, a Saab Group Company.
EADS will acquire 100 percent of Australian Aerospace Pty Ltd. It is a result of the hive down of the defence activities of Hawker Pacific of Australia.
Australian Aerospace Pty Ltd’s assets and operations include its Royal Australian Air Force P3 Orion maintenance based at Richmond, northwest of Sydney and Royal Australian Army Caribou maintenance operations based at Brisbane. It employs 150 people.
Core competencies include complex airframe modifications as well as extensive maintenance capabilities.
EADS CEOs Philippe Camus and Rainer Hertrich emphasised the importance of EADS’ presence in Australia: "We are glad to welcome Australian Aerospace into the Group, and we look forward to strong development of the company both in Australia and export markets."
" Hawker Pacific’s sale of the defence section within the company is part of the work to streamline Saab’s operation, and it also benefits Hawker Pacific’s business in Australia", says Gert Schyborger, member of Saab’s executive management.
Gilbert Dangleterre, CEO of EADS Australia Pacific Pty Ltd, regional subsidiary of EADS International, will be the Managing Director of Australian Aerospace. Robert Hunter, formerly General Manager of Airframes at Hawker Pacific, will be the General Manager.
Australian Aerospace will have full access to EADS technology and to the EADS International network. This will open up a wide range of regional markets as well as potential export markets.
Additionally, Australian Aerospace will double its activities if Eurocopter wins the Air 87 competition for the supply of a reconnaissance helicopter to the Australian armed forces.
"We are pleased to be involved in strengthening Australian aerospace and defense operations, with the experience and expertise of EADS and Eurocopter to provide continued quality maintenance support services to the Australian Defence Force," said Mr. Jean-Francois Bigay, CEO of Eurocopter.
Saab is one of the world’s leading high-technology companies, with its main operations focusing on defence, aviation and space. The group covers a broad spectrum of competence and capability in systems integration.
For further information, please contact
Anders Stålhammar,
Press Secretary, Saab AB
+46 13 187175, +46 70 889 7096
Gert Schyborger,
Group Senior Vice President, Saab AB
+46 (0)13 184050
Dr. Rainer Ohler,
EADS
+ 49 171 3723 197
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