Airbus Helicopters and IAR Brasov sign general agreement for exclusive cooperation

Airbus Helicopters and IAR Brasov have signed a general agreement for an exclusive cooperation for the heavy twin engine H215M multi-role helicopter, Airbus Helicopter reported in a press statement on Thursday.

Under this general agreement IAR will become the prime contractor for the H215M for any future order by the Romanian Ministry of Defense to replace their ageing fleet.

"We are proud to have signed this general agreement that results from almost 50 years of cooperation between IAR and Airbus Helicopters. IAR has built around 360 helicopters under license thanks to this successful partnership with Airbus Helicopters and we are looking forward to customizing and supporting the H215M, " said Neculai Banea, General Director of IAR.

"This agreement is an important milestone in the construction of a European defense partnership. We are convinced that this relationship will last another 50 years and that the H215M will correspond perfectly to the needs of the Romanian Army," said Olivier Michalon, Senior Vice President, Head of Europe region at Airbus Helicopters.

IAR Brasov is a majority state-owned company; it is a Romanian national leader in aeronautics, specialized in helicopter manufacturing and maintenance. In 2016, it generated revenues of 34 million euros and employed a workforce of around 316. IAR Brasov offers a wide range of services for the Romanian Army as well as for international customers. Such services consist mainly of maintenance, repair and upgrade of military helicopters and supply of spare parts.

Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2016, it generated revenues of 67 billion euros and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as Europe's number one space enterprise and the world's second largest space business. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.