In 2008 Airbus delivered a new record number of 483 aircraft, 30 more than in 2007. This number is made up of 386 A320 family aircraft, 85 A330/A340 and 12 A380s.
The order intake in a difficult year was remarkably strong. Overall, Airbus won 777 net orders (900 new gross orders) valued at US$100 billion at catalogue prices or 54% of market share of all aircraft units over 100 seats.
These include 472 A320 Family aircraft, 138 Long-Range aircraft (A330/A340) and nine A380s. The recently launched A350 XWB won 163 new firm orders increasing the total to 478 from 29 customers. At 2008 year end, Airbus had increased its backlog to a new record of 3,715 aircraft.
Airbus's turnaround programme, Power 8 exceeded targets for the second year in a row, delivering cost savings of about 1.3 billion Euros. The savings are over half way towards the 2010 objective and Power 8+ will add a further 650 million euros in savings by 2012.
In 2008 Airbus also successfully completed its aerostructures strategy. The former Airbus site in Laupheim and Filton's manufacturing unit were sold to leading partners.
The German sites Nordenham, Varel and Augsburg were merged into Premium Aerotec and the French sites Meaulte and St. Nazaire Ville into Aerolia. The two companies became fully operational on 1 January 2009. These divestments and restructuring allow Airbus to concentrate on its core activities of aircraft architect and integrator, while capital investments, risks and benefits in developing new aircraft technologies are shared.
"We all know that 2009 will be a very challenging year for the aeronautics industry," said Tom Enders, Airbus President and CEO. "At Airbus we are prepared and confident: our leadership team is aligned, our workforce is motivated again, integration is progressing well and we have a solid financial basis, thanks to our improvement programs, our prudent cash and production management, and our strong orderbook."
The DoD has changed its structures and is been increasing efforts to facilitate access to loans by companies interested in working with artificial intelligence, advanced materials and semiconductors, biotechnology and quantum science.
India has approved millions of dollars in new military purchases, most of which will go to public sector companies.
The main obstacles to overcoming risks in the region are a lack of a strong cybersecurity culture and inadequate funds to invest in this domain given a widespread Chinese presence in the region.
MBDA is adapting to supply chain pressures as the Russian invasion of Ukraine leads to increased demand for armaments.
Despite the additional funding promised this week, the UK armed forces still look set to face cutbacks, and maintaining international commitments to AUKUS and GCAP may limit the options for other programmes.
This week on the Shephard Defence Podcast, senior naval reporter Harry Lye and military training & simulation reporter Norbert Neumann chat with Professor John Louth.
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