Airbus and IAR have signed the Final Collaboration Agreement for 15 years, for the H215M helicopter

According to the document, IAR is the exclusive partner of Airbus to manufacture the IAR-H215M helicopter in Romania   On November 6, 2018, Airbus and IAR Ghimbav signed the Final Exclusive Collaboration Agreement for 15 years, a document whose principles have been established by signing an initial agreement on August 24, 2017, in Bucharest, in the presence of the French and Romanian Presidents. According to the Final Collaboration Agreement, IAR is the main contractor for H215M, for any future order from the Romanian Ministry of Defense aimed at replacing the aging fleet. The agreement reflects the joint commitment of Airbus and IAR to contribute to the modernization of the multirole helicopter fleet. The document provides a tight collaboration in the next 15 years, Airbus being the exclusive partner of IAR in the aeronautic cluster from Ghimbav, Brasov County. “We have proudly supported Romania for almost 50 years, not just through helicopter assembly and maintenance activities, but also by permanently investing and contributing to shaping the aeronautic industry through unique educational programs for the young generation. Now, we look to the future through this partnership with IAR for the H215M helicopter, prior to any decision of the Romanian government to implement our cooperation and deliver a truly efficient multirole helicopter in terms of costs, produced in Romania, to the Romanian Ministry of Defense”, stated Olivier Michalon, Senior Vice President for Europe of Airbus Helicopters. “By signing this final agreement today, we take our partnership to a higher level. We share a rich history and we are eager to develop what we succeeded to do together until now. We are glad that Airbus is a solid partner, willing to continue to invest in Romania. We need involvement, know-how and modern technology in order to develop the Romanian aeronautic industry and to meet the requirements of the Ministry of Defense regarding the helicopters, and Airbus is here for a long term. We believe that the IAR-H215M helicopter is the best solution for the Romanian aeronautic industry, for the Ministry of Defense and for other clients from all over the world. IAR and Romania are eager to become helicopter producers again. This agreement is a new chapter of the collaboration between France and Romania in the aeronautic industry”, stated Neculai Banea, the General Manger of IAR. Airbus and IAR are partners since more than 15 years in the company Airbus Helicopters Romania (51% Airbus, 49% IAR), a successful maintenance and repair service center for a wide range of civil and military helicopters from Romanian and other countries. 75% of the Airbus Helicopters Romania turnover is given by the export agreements. In 2016, the plant Airbus Helicopters Industries was inaugurated for the production of H215M helicopters. H215M is a robust helicopter with 2 engines, certified by EASA and FAA, which includes state-of-the-art technologies and capabilities. Due to its size, reliability and level of availability for flight, H215M is the ideal helicopter for utility missions in extreme environments and on the battlefield. The relationship between Airbus and IAR means more than 50 years of successful collaboration materialized in the production of more than 360 helicopters under Airbus license. Today, around 6,300 direct and indirect jobs in Romania are due to Airbus. Airbus shares technology and know-how with its partner, IAR, and gets involved in training the employees and educating the young generation. Around 150 students are learning in the aeronautic classes sponsored by Airbus at the “Transilvania” College of Brasov.     Photo, from left to right: IAR General Manager, Neculai Banea, and Airbus Helicopter Senior Vice President for Europe, Olivier Michalon)

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