FIDAE 2002: EADS CASA in Latin America
Madrid, 21 March 2002
EADS CASA (previously CASA) has had a presence in Latin America since 1977. At the present time there are more than 140 CASA C-212, CASA CN-235 and CASA C-101 aircraft operated by almost all of the countries in the region in different sectors of transport and military training. These aircraft carry out missions from tactical and logistical transport or humanitarian aid to complex missions of maritime patrol or fighter pilot training.
Chile is the largest operator of EADS CASA aircraft in South America and is the only operator in the world that includes them in all three branches of its armed forces. The Chilean Air Force has thirty three (33) C-101 aircraft designated as the A36 Halcón and four (4) C-212 aircraft; the Brigada de Aviación del Ejército (BAVE), with one of the biggest fleets of military transport aircraft in Latin America, operates, among others, three (3) CASA CN-235 aircraft and six (6) C-212 different series aircraft; and the Navy has three (3) C-212 series 100 aircraft. The collaboration between EADS CASA (former CASA) and Chile has been very close for more than two decades.
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At the present time Chile is carrying out a revitalization and modernization program on three (3) of the Brigada de Aviación del Ejército's CN-235 aircraft. This is being done by their own personnel in Rancagua with the support of EADS CASA technicians. This program that began in October 2000 is now finishing.
The industrial cooperation between CASA and ENAER (Empresa Nacional de Aeronáutica) dates back to the beginning of ENAER in the 80's, with the development of a technology transfer program for the production of components and then later for the final assembly of the C-101 aircraft acquired by Chilean Air Force. This program culminated with the establishment of an assembly line for this aircraft at ENAER, where they carried out practically the entire effort associated with the production and delivery of the aircraft. The cooperation between the two industries has continued through the years with subcontracting programs for production of components for the CN-235 aircraft, the establishment of the only authorised Service Center in Latin America for the C-212 aircraft and more recently with the exclusive production by ENAER of the tail cone for the worldwide fleet of the new CASA C-295 Transport aircraft.
Mexico, with whom EADS CASA collaborates intensely, has recently signed (Secretaría de Marina) a contract to purchase the CASA FITS (Fully Integrated Tactical System) mission system to be installed in their Navy's CASA C-212 aircraft.
The contract, that also includes maintenance, repair, modernization, and the creation of a mission support center, is initially for two (2) of the eight (8) Armada de México C-212 aircraft.
The installation of the FITS, as well as the rest of the work, will be carried out with the collaboration of Armada de México personnel located at the EADS CASA facilities in Spain. Later on the contract will be extended to the six (6) remaining aircraft and will be carried out at the Bajadas Air Base in Veracruz, Mexico, directed by the Mexican personnel who were previously based in Spain.
These aircraft will be devoted to the control of the Exclusive Economic Zone, to the fight against drug trafficking, and as support to Naval deployments. The modifications of the CASA C-212 will improve its characteristics substantially, allowing, for example, mission times of over ten (10) hours and increased capabilities for tracking multiple targets.
With regards to Brazil, there are two programs active at this time. One program is the modernization of the Brazilian Air Force's P-3 aircraft for which EADS CASA is a finalist with the FITS (Fully Integrated Tactical System) mission equipment in a competition that will be decided in May 2002. The other is for the replacement of the C115 Buffalo aircraft that the Brazilian Air Force operates mainly in the Amazon area and for which EADS CASA proposes its modern C-295 aircraft that has already demonstrated its real capabilities in the Amazon area after FIDAE 2000 with a tour that included access to remote areas with short un-prepared runways without any ground support infrastructure. The Spanish Air Force already has three (3) of the nine (9) acquired C-295 CASA aircraft operational and the Polish Air Force signed a contract in August 2002 to purchase eight (8) of the aircraft. The United Arab Emirates Navy also recently selected the C-295 in its Persuader maritime patrol MPA version and will sign the contract shortly.
The CASA C-101, C-212 and CN-235 aircraft that the Chilean Armed Forces operate will be exhibited during FIDAE 2002. A Spanish Air Force CASA C-295 aircraft will be also at the show.
The more than twenty year-old relationships between CASA and all of the countries of Latin America goes beyond a close collaboration and makes a very important joint contribution to the common development of the aeronautical activity on this region of the world.
With revenues amounting to EUR 30.8 billion in 2001 (excluding Airbus UK) and a workforce of over 100,000, EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company is the largest European aerospace company and the No 2 worldwide. It is active in the sectors of commercial aircraft, helicopters, space, military transport and combat aircraft as well as defence technology and services. Among others, EADS holds 80 percent of Airbus, 75 percent of the space company Astrium, 100 percent of the helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter, 43 percent in the Eurofighter programme and 37.5 percent in the missile company MBDA.
For further information contact, please:
Miguel Sánchez
Eduardo Galicia
EADS CASA
Tel.: (+34) 91-585 7789
EADS CASA
Comunicación/Communications
Avda. de Aragón, 404 -28022 Madrid, Spain
Tel.: 34 91 585 77 89
Fax: 34 91 585 7264
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