Information February 2018
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Information February 2018 Airbus Defence and Space in the Asia-Pacific The Airbus Defence and Space division has been present in the Asia-Pacific for around 40 years, going back to the introduction of the C212 light transport aircraft in the region. This is the fastest growing defence and space market in the world and worth an estimated €50 billion over the next four years to 2021, according to the company’s projections. Today, almost 150 Airbus military aircraft and five of the company’s satellites are in service in the region. Airbus has also supplied components for space systems, launched satellites, and provided communications, intelligence and surveillance services for customer across the Asia-Pacific. Airbus is also a long-term industrial partner with a footprint in the region since the 1970s, and is looking to develop further its relationship with companies and countries in the Asia-Pacific. Amid strong economic growth and competition for resources, there has been significant interest from customers for products across the Airbus military aircraft, space, unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and communications, intelligence and security (CIS) business lines. MILITARY AIRCRAFT Around 140 Airbus light and medium tactical aircraft (C212, CN235 and C295) are in service in the region. These are operated by military services, as well as government and civil agencies, in Bangladesh, Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand, and Vietnam. These aircraft are mostly deployed on transport operations, as well as missions such as search and rescue, maritime patrol and rain-making. In particular, there are 16 C295s in service in the region with operators in Bangladesh, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The highly versatile C295 is the most cost- effective solution for the growing maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) requirements across the Asia-Pacific. Malaysia is the first export customer for the game-changing A400M airlifter. The country took delivery of its fourth aircraft in 2017 to become the first operator to stand-up a full squadron. These have been successfully deployed on transport and humanitarian missions, most recently in Bangladesh. Airbus has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Indonesia’s Pelita Air Services, which represents a consortium of state-owned companies involved in the country’s aerospace sector, on the potential purchase of the A400M. There is significant sales potential for the new-generation A400M in many parts of Asia- Pacific to replace legacy airlifters which are based on 50-year-old designs. The aircraft fills a real gap in a region where huge distances and frequent natural disasters make it essential to have an aircraft with the range, speed and airlift capabilities of the A400M. Page 1 of 3 Information Australia ordered the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) in 2004 to meet its air-to-air refuelling and transport requirements. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF), the platform’s launch operator, received all five aircraft by November 2012. A follow-on order for two more examples was placed in 2015, with the first of those in service. Singapore confirmed an order for the Airbus A330 MRTT in March 2014, while South Korea picked the type in a landmark June 2015 decision. Their first “green” aircraft have rolled off the production lines and are being configured according to each country’s requirements. Both Singapore and South Korea will receive their first aircraft in 2018. There remains strong interest in other parts of the region for the A330 MRTT as a force multiplier. SPACE In the space business, Airbus actively works with countries across the Asia-Pacific where there is growing demand for both earth observation and telecommunication satellites. The company has been a reliable partner to the Asian space ecosystem as a prime manufacturer, building satellites for Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Thailand. Since 1980, the company has also supplied space equipment for geostationary and low earth orbit spacecraft operators in Singapore, South Korea, and Japan. Airbus has also helped to launch satellites for countries including Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan and South Korea. There are several opportunities in the region for Airbus to provide tailored space programmes and supply satellites for customers. COMMUNICATIONS, INTELLIGENCE, & SECURITY (CIS) Airbus also provides highly resilient military satellite communication services to governments in the Asia-Pacific via the Skynet 5 fleet of satellites. With the SpaceDataHighway, Airbus will be able to provide laser transfer service of information including images, video, and data collected by sensors on satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and surveillance aircraft to receiving ground stations. Airbus has decided to position the third communication node of its SpaceDataHighway over the Asia-Pacific region. The company’s land and coastal border surveillance and management systems are also in service in the region. Airbus also offers earth observation satellite imagery distribution throughout Asia, providing institutions and partners in the region access to the Pléiades, SPOT, TerraSAR-X and TanDEM-X satellites and constellations. Page 2 of 3 Information UNMANNED AERIAL SYSTEMS (UAS) The company’s new Airbus Aerial business line expanded its services to Asia in 2018, when it set up an office in Singapore. Aerial brings together a variety of aerospace technologies such as UAVs and satellites, combines them in a software infrastructure, and applies industry specific analytics for customers. Aerial is initially seeking partners in the Asian insurance market to extend its footprint from the US to the Asia-Pacific. It is also looking to collaborate with drone operators in the region. Potential applications in the Asia-Pacific include information to provide relief and recovery in disaster prone regions, disaster management support, and agriculture and infrastructure monitoring services for customers. *** Page 3 of 3 .