Portugal has just confirmed its choice of the C-295 over the C-27J. The main arguments in favour of the C-295 seem to have been the maritime patrol version, lower acquisition and operation costs, and the increase of the participation of EADS-CASA in the portuguese aeronautical industries OGMA.
EADS CASA is to supply 12 C-295 aircraft to the Portuguese Air Force
– Seven (7) military transport aircraft and five (5) VIMAR maritime surveillance aircraft
– Other contracts include the maintenance for a minimum of 5 years and industrial cooperation
(Lisbon, 17 February 2006) — The Portuguese Minister for Defence, Luis Amado, and the Spanish Ambassador in that country, Enrique Panés, were both present at the signing today, at Sintra Air Base, of the contract to supply the Portuguese Air Force with twelve EADS CASA C-295 aircraft, for an approximate value of 270 million euros.
The contract was signed by Jose Mourato, CEO of Empordef, and Francisco Fernandez Sainz, CEO of EADS CASA.
These twelve aircraft will replace the fleet of Aviocar C-212’s, also supplied by CASA, which have been operating satisfactorily since the 1970’s.
Seven (7) of the aircraft will have military transport configuration and five (5) will be equipped for maritime surveillance missions (VIMAR version). Of these latter, three (3) will have the FITS mission system entirely developed by EADS CASA. The VIMAR aircraft can also be rapidly adapted to the transport configuration.
The first aircraft will be delivered 18 months after the contract comes into force and from then on one approximately every one and a half months, until the total of 12 units is reached. Initially, the transport aircraft will be supplied and then the maritime surveillance ones.
The CEO of EADS CASA, Francisco Fernández Sáinz, declared that: “We are very proud that Portugal continues to place its trust in our aircraft. We still fondly remember that Portugal was the first operator of the extraordinary CASA C-212, which soon became a success throughout the world in terms of sales”.
“The C-295, an aircraft that competes in the medium weight category, is destined to continue that success story, as both it and its smaller brother, the CN-235, have gained the confidence of an increasing number of operators in all five continents”, added Fernández Sáinz.
EADS CASA will also provide “Full In-Service Support” for these aircraft, for a minimum period of 5 years.
Likewise, the industrial cooperation agreement between EADS CASA and the CPC (Permanent Counterparties Committee) was signed, by means of which EADS CASA will provide support to Portugal’s aeronautical industrial development. The contract was signed by the Chairman of the CPC, Rui Neves.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2004, EADS generated revenues of € 31.8 billion and employed a workforce of about 110,000. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world’s largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and the joint venture MBDA, the leading international missile producer in the global market. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, is the prime contractor for the Ariane launcher, develops the A400M military transport aircraft and is the largest industrial partner for the European satellite navigation system Galileo.
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February 20, 2006 at 7:05 pm