Airbus Helicopters can breathe … The purchase of 30 Caracal transport helicopters by Kuwait is an announcement that had been expected for several months by the manufacturer of Marignane with a lot of excitement. And for good reason. This contract of over one billion euros will bring a breath of fresh air to the European helicopter in need of major military and offshore contracts in recent years, and therefore workload for its plants in Marignane particular.
Helicopters Airbus is also entangled with the crash in Norway civil version of Caracal, the H225. The investigation into the crash of a H225 in Norway in April continues and the financial consequences are “difficult to predict at this stage” , had estimated Airbus Group at the presentation of interim results.
A partnership of 30 with Kuwait
the contract was signed by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense in the presence of Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian. It provides for the delivery of the first aircraft in 29 months and in the last 48 months. The units will be built in the plant in Marignane. The agreement also provides for the training of crews, mechanics and maintenance in operational conditions for at least two years.
These devices are intended for Kuwaiti army (24) and to the National Guard in Kuwait (6). The Caracal will be used by the Kuwaiti army mainly for missions “Combat search and rescue” (rescue downed pilots), transport and ground support. The aircraft will be delivered with machine guns, a contract for anti-ship missile equipment will be negotiated later.
“This contract is part of a strategic relationship between Kuwait and France that has built up over more than 30 years of commitment of France alongside the Emirate in particular during the conflict that followed the invasion of Kuwait in 1990 “, explained the Defense Ministry in a statement on Tuesday. France has also always an agreement of defense with Kuwait.
Quoted in the press release, Jean-Yves Le Drian said that “the e choice Kuwait dedicates again cohesion Team France and the quality of French defense industries. with this decision, Kuwait further strengthens the strategic partnership between our two countries in decades while we are now engaged side side in the fight against Daech in Iraq and Syria . “
A long road
the Italian company Agusta and American Sikorsky responded to the Kuwaiti tender launched in 2013, but there was “the Kuwaiti side a clear willingness to grant the contract to France within the framework of our institutional relationship” said a source in entourage of the Minister. A control intention was announced in June 2015 by the Elysee and confirmed in October during the visit to Paris of the Prime Minister of Kuwait, Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah. The contract had happened at the end of this winter the last leg of its long journey administration, according to our information. It only needed the green light from the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. It’s done.
The acquisition of Caracal by Kuwait also confirms the confidence of foreign armies in “French proven systems on theaters of operation where the French armed forces use them daily “, said the Ministry of Defence. Before Kuwait, Airbus Helicopters has sold more than a hundred Caracal in France, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia and Indonesia (108). Specifically, the Kuwaiti armed forces are or have been equipped by Airbus helicopters such as the Super Puma, the Puma or Gazelle. Helicopters Airbus maintains relations with the emirate for over 40 years.
A key contract for Airbus Helicopters
This agreement was essential to ensure the 2016 workloads and two following years manufacturer’s Marignane. For if no large contract coming this year, the management of Airbus Helicopters should have put in place a plan B … “This contract will strengthen the sustainability of jobs in Marignane plant, which employs more than 8,000 employees, it is a very significant fresh air for Marignane “, said AFP Jean-Yves Le Drian.
Already two of its biggest competitors have launched restructuring plans. The American manufacturer Bell has just removed in February and in May 260 jobs (850 people laid off since 2014). In addition, Sikorsky announced in June 2015, the departure of 1,400 employees. Finally, Airbus Helicopters could not afford a new commercial white year or so with the H225 (2 units sold in 2015).
Results declining
In the first half 2016, Helicopters Airbus booked 127 net orders (against 135 in the first half 2015). In value terms, the decline was 14%. The manufacturer of Marignane was especially selected as the provider of aviation services in the education system of military pilots from the United Kingdom (UK Military Flying Training System – UKMFTS) and has also signed an agreement with a Chinese consortium for 100 H135.
Helicopters Airbus recorded in the first half revenue down 9% to € 2.68 billion, reflecting a less favorable mix of aircraft delivered despite higher deliveries to 163 units (152 in the first half 2015). Finally, EBIT before non-recurring items Helicopters Airbus amounted to € 144 million (against € 162 million in the first half), mainly due to less favorable mix of deliveries.
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