Airbus Helicopters, IAR sign H215M agreement
Airbus Helicopters and Romania's IAR have signed an exclusive cooperation agreement for the heavy twin engine H215M multi-role helicopter, Airbus Helicopters announced on 13 April.
Under the agreement, IAR will become the prime contractor for the H215M for any future order by the Romanian Ministry of Defense to replace its ageing fleet.
Airbus Helicopters operates in Romania through its customer centre, Airbus Helicopters Romania, which generates about 75 per cent of its turnover through export contracts. Airbus Helicopters Industries, a 10,000m² factory based in Brasov, was inaugurated in 2016 and will house production of the H215 in Romania.
Neculai Banea, general director of IAR, said: '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 customising and supporting the H215M.'
Olivier Michalon, senior vice president, Head of Europe region at Airbus Helicopter, said: 'This agreement is an important milestone in the construction of a European defence 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 armies.'
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