EADS Sees Asia-Pacific Strategy Paying Off As It Sells A400Ms to Malaysia

Airbus A400M concept(click to view full) In the spring 2005 the Royal Malaysian Air Force had put its C-130 Hercules upgrade program on hold, and was considering the Airbus A400M following intense lobbying from France. LIMA 2005 saw the Malaysian government sign a MYR 2.8 billion (EUR 630 million/ $740 million) contract for 4 Airbus A400Ms airlifters, for delivery during 2013-2014. The A400M is due to have its maiden flight in 2007-2008. Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the new aircraft would supplement the aging fleet of 15 C-130 Hercules (according to Scramble, 13 x C-130H or stretched C-130H-30, 2 x C-130T tankers) aircraft currently in service. The C-130, he said, would continue its role until it is no longer economical to operate the aircraft. So how did EADS bring in this deal, and how does it fit into EADS’ larger strategy? Airbus A400M Industrial offsets were a major component of this deal. In November 1990, a firm called Composites Technology Research Malaysia Sdn Bhd (CTRM) was established, in line with the government’s aspiration to start manufacturing composite parts for the aerospace industry. Within the framework of this contract, Malaysian industry will receive high-technology work packages worth […]