European European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V. Document Reference 2002 This document is also available at the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V. following addresses: Reference Document 2002 European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company – EADS In France 37, boulevard de Montmorency 75781 Paris cedex 16 – France In Germany 81663 Munich – Germany In Spain Avenida de Aragón 404 28022 Madrid – Spain Delivering measurable results European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V. Le Carré Beechavenue 130–132 1119 PR Schiphol-Rijk The Netherlands www.eads.net EUROPEAN AERONAUTIC DEFENCE AND SPACE COMPANY EADS N.V. REFERENCE DOCUMENT FINANCIAL YEAR 2002 This Reference Document was filed in French with the Commission des operations´ de bourse on April 2, 2003 pursuant to Reglement` No. 98-01 of the Commission des operations´ de bourse. It may be used in support of a financial transaction only if it is supplemented by a transaction note approved by the Commission des operations´ de bourse. Warning The COB draws the attention of the public to the fact that: European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS N.V. (‘‘EADS’’ or the ‘‘Company’’) is a Dutch company, which is listed in France, Germany and Spain. Given this fact, the applicable regulations with respect to public information and protection of investors, as well as the commitments made by the Company to securities and market authorities, are described in this Reference Document. TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1 — Persons Responsible for the Reference Document and Persons Responsible for the Audit of the Financial Statements.............................................................................. 6 1.1 Persons Responsible for the Reference Document............................................................... 6 1.2 Statement of the Persons Responsible for the Reference Document .............................. 6 1.3 Persons Responsible for the Audit of the Financial Statements...................................... 6 1.3.1 Persons Responsible for the Review of EADS’ Financial Statements....................................... 6 1.3.2 Statement of the Auditors............................................................................................................. 6 1.4 Information Policy....................................................................................................................... 8 1.5 Undertakings of the Company Regarding Information..................................................... 8 1.6 Exchange Rate Information....................................................................................................... 9 Chapter 2 — Information Concerning Securities Issued (Not Applicable) ....................................... 10 Chapter 3 — General Description of the Company and its Share Capital........................................ 11 3.1 General Description of the Company ..................................................................................... 11 3.1.1 Corporate Name, Seat and Registered Office .............................................................................. 11 3.1.2 Legal Form....................................................................................................................................... 11 3.1.3 Governing Law — Dutch Regulations ......................................................................................... 11 3.1.4 Date of Incorporation and Duration of the Company................................................................ 14 3.1.5 Objects of the Company................................................................................................................ 14 3.1.6 Commercial and Companies Registry........................................................................................... 14 3.1.7 Inspection of Corporate Documents............................................................................................. 14 3.1.8 Financial Year.................................................................................................................................. 15 3.1.9 Allocation and Distribution of Income........................................................................................ 15 3.1.10 General Meetings............................................................................................................................ 15 3.1.11 Disclosure of Holdings Exceeding Specific Thresholds and of Intentions............................... 16 3.1.12 Mandatory Tender Offers.............................................................................................................. 17 3.2 General Description of the Share Capital.............................................................................. 19 3.2.1 Modification of Share Capital or Rights Attaching to the Shares ............................................ 19 3.2.2 Issued Share Capital....................................................................................................................... 19 3.2.3 Authorized Share Capital .............................................................................................................. 19 3.2.4 Securities Granting Access to the Company’s Capital................................................................ 19 3.2.5 Changes in the Issued Share Capital Since Incorporation of the Company............................. 20 3.3 Shareholdings and Voting Rights............................................................................................ 20 3.3.1 Shareholding Structure .................................................................................................................. 20 3.3.2 Relationships with Principal Shareholders................................................................................... 22 3.3.3 Form of Shares................................................................................................................................ 28 3.3.4 Changes in the Shareholding of the Company Since its Incorporation.................................... 28 3.3.5 Persons Exercising Control over the Company ........................................................................... 29 3.3.6 Simplified Group Structure Chart ................................................................................................ 30 3.3.7 Purchase by the Company of its Own Shares............................................................................. 30 3.4 Stock Exchange Information..................................................................................................... 31 3.5 Dividends....................................................................................................................................... 34 3.5.1 Dividends and Cash Distributions Paid since the Incorporation of the Company ................. 34 3.5.2 Dividend Policy of EADS ............................................................................................................. 34 3.5.3 Unclaimed Dividends..................................................................................................................... 35 3.5.4 Taxation ........................................................................................................................................... 35 2 Chapter 4 — Information on EADS Activities ........................................................................................ 37 4.1 Presentation of the EADS Group............................................................................................ 37 4.1.1 Overview ......................................................................................................................................... 37 4.1.2 Airbus.............................................................................................................................................. 42 4.1.3 Military Transport Aircraft............................................................................................................ 53 4.1.4 Aeronautics...................................................................................................................................... 57 4.1.5 Defence and Civil Systems............................................................................................................ 66 4.1.6 Space ................................................................................................................................................ 75 4.1.7 Investment....................................................................................................................................... 81 4.2 Intellectual Property ................................................................................................................... 82 4.3 Employees ...................................................................................................................................... 82 4.4 Research and Development........................................................................................................ 82 4.5 Risk Factors................................................................................................................................... 83 4.5.1 Market Risks................................................................................................................................... 83 4.5.2 Legal Risks ...................................................................................................................................... 86 4.5.3