Eurocopter: We Countinue to Develop
Defence Turkey:What are the products you have manufactured for military forces and security units? Would you assess your position in the defense industry market and your objectives in the military and security areas in 2012?
Eurocopter helicopters fulfill military needs worldwide in a large range of missions: The single-engine AS550 for observation and armed Scout missions; the versatile and proven twin-engine EC645 including the UH-72 Lakota version of the U.S. Forces, which is primarily in use for Light Utility, surveillance/security, medical evacuation and command & control missions; the EC635 for Armed Reconnaissance and advanced military training; the AS565, specialized in naval missions; as well as the heavy AS532 for troop transport. The EC725 in its combat SAR version has been successfully deployed in the most difficult situations. Not to forget the Tiger who has proven its operational force in Afghanistan. The multi-role helicopter NH90, manufactured by NHIndustries, an industrial consortium comprising Eurocopter, AgustaWestland and Fokker, has passed major milestones and provides forces with tactical transport and naval capabilities.
Regarding the military helicopter market, Eurocopter confirms its strong market share. In 2012 there are major programs to be attributed and Eurocopter is participating with innovative solutions. In Turkey, we are following very closely the national helicopter project and believe that we would be the right partner for such collaboration as we have proven experience all over the world for such kind of projects.
Defence Turkey:
We know that as the Eurocopter Group you undertake a very large amount of investments in new technologies and R&D programs. One of these investments is the hybrid helicopter X3 that you introduced in 2010. In the high speed tests conducted with the X3 in 2011 you obtained a performance of 232 knots. What sort of innovations will this new helicopter with the capabilities of high speed, long range, vertical takeoff and landing at high speed flights bring to the market? Which markets do you think this helicopter will open?
The X3 demonstrator was developed to determine the aircraft architecture and technology best suited for extremely high-speed helicopter flights, while also keeping operating costs reasonable. High cruise speeds increase productivity as long as the benefit of those higher speeds outweighs the cost of purchasing, operating and maintaining the machine.
The X3 technology may be integrated in certain products in the Eurocopter family by the end of the decade. It is particularly well adapted to missions requiring long transit flights together with occasional hover flights of a short duration. Some of the initial areas where the X3 may be used include sea rescue missions, air links when no runways are available and the servicing of oil platforms located far from the shore. High-speed capabilities may also provide important added value for military missions such as Special Forces transportation, search and rescue, or even reconnaissance flights.
Defence TurkeyYou realized one of the biggest sales in Eurocopter history to the United States. You are producing the Eurocopter EC 645 for the United States Army as the Eurocopter UH-72 Lakota. Would you provide us with information about the latest situation regarding this program?
The EC145 as light utility helicopter (UH-72A) of the US Army is indeed a very successful program including 345 helicopters; more than half delivered since December 2006. In 2011, the U.S. Army ordered 57 aircraft as part of the total acquisition plan. The UH-72A helicopters are currently ooperating from 31 basing locations in multiple configurations for medical evacuation (MedEvac) missions, search and rescue operations (except at night over the ocean), border patrols, VIP transport, and general aviation support. The program is one of the U.S. Army?s most successful acquisition programs and is repeatedly noted by Department of Defense officials for its on-time and on-budget deliveries.
Defence TurkeyTurkey is one of the important markets for you and you have successfully collaborated with Turkish firms in the past. At this time you are forming new partnerships with Turkish firms. However, we have noticed that you have been somewhat quiet in Turkey since 2006. Will we see Eurocopter more active in Turkey in 2012?
You know, even if we didn?t create much noise, Eurocopter has been active in Turkey for more than 20 years. The first helicopters have been delivered to the Turkish National Police, the Ministry of Forestry And DHMI in the mid-80s to mid-90s With the Phenix Project in the 1990s Turkey was procuring 50 AS532 (Cougars) and a strong industrial cooperation was established through the Offset program between Turkey (in particular TAI) and Eurocopter. From 1999 till 2003 28 Cougar were co-produced by TAI. In 2002, TAI started to retrofit the first 20 Cougar.and from 2004 Depot level maintenance capabilities were transferred to TAI and 5th MMC.
Until today, TAI is producing the MK 1 airframe (Super Puma family) for the worldwide needs of Eurocopter and the Sliding and Engine Cowlings for the EC135 which is manufactured in Donauwörth (Germany). In the frame of past programs Eurocopter and the Turkish Defence industry have been collaborating in exports of their products to international market. Since 2008, the EC135 and EC145 are in Turkey in operation for Emergency Medical Service and DHMI has recently replaced their aging Eurocopter fleet by two EC145.
Turkey´s helicopter market is one of the biggest worldwide and therefore, we see Turkey as one of the key countries and as one of the emerging markets for the future. In parallel we follow the dynamism of industrial development in the country and the growth in technical expertise in the aviation sector. Therefore we are continuously enlarging the scope of technology from Turkey integrated in our helicopters like, for example is the thermal imaging system from Aselsan for the EC635 and the testing of the CIRIT from Roketsan on the
Defence TurkeyYou have signed a memorandum of understanding with ROKETSAN at IDEF 11 in integrating the 2.75 laser guided missile (C?R?T) to the Eurocopter EC 635 helicopter platform. What type of activities is being carried out at this time related to this program? Furthermore, with no limit to the export of this product, this puts it at the forefront with the advantages it brings in terms of price and quality. What type of cooperation are you planning with ROKETSAN on the subject of sales to third countries in the following years?
According to our analysis more and more military customers are looking for a very versatile helicopter platform capable to carry various mission equipment and ammunition. The semi active laser guided missile CIRIT fits fully to the demand of military users related to precision guided ammunition. Therefore we are preparing with Roketsan a firing campaign to demonstrate to different end users that the CIRIT can be launched from the EC635, which may be extended to other Eurocopter platforms. After the successful firing campaign we will continue to work on a common marketing strategy for promoting Eurocopter products with the CIRIT to selected customers.
Defence TurkeyYou have signed a memorandum of understanding with ROKETSAN at IDEF 11 in integrating the 2.75 laser guided missile (C?R?T) to the Eurocopter EC 635 helicopter platform. What type of activities is being carried out at this time related to this program? Furthermore, with no limit to the export of this product, this puts it at the forefront with the advantages it brings in terms of price and quality. What type of cooperation are you planning with ROKETSAN on the subject of sales to third countries in the following years?
According to our analysis more and more military customers are looking for a very versatile helicopter platform capable to carry various mission equipment and ammunition. The semi active laser guided missile CIRIT fits fully to the demand of military users related to precision guided ammunition. Therefore we are preparing with Roketsan a firing campaign to demonstrate to different end users that the CIRIT can be launched from the EC635, which may be extended to other Eurocopter platforms. After the successful firing campaign we will continue to work on a common marketing strategy for promoting Eurocopter products with the CIRIT to selected customers
Defence TurkeyMr. Thomas Hein, who is your vice president for sales and customer relations in Europe, in a press briefing stated that you had a proposal on the subject of testing the EC 635?s weapon system in Turkey that is planned to be performed in South Africa next year. What activities are you conducting in having these tests being carried out in Turkey?
The original plan was to do the firing campaign in South Africa as we are working closely together with a South African company for the so called Stand Alone Weapon System (SAWS) development and integration. Roketsan and Eurocopter have indeed considered doing the firing campaign in Turkey. But for the moment we stay with the test helicopter in South Africa
Defence TurkeyMr. Thomas Hein, who is your vice president for sales and customer relations in Europe, in a press briefing stated that you had a proposal on the subject of testing the EC 635?s weapon system in Turkey that is planned to be performed in South Africa next year. What activities are you conducting in having these tests being carried out in Turkey?
The original plan was to do the firing campaign in South Africa as we are working closely together with a South African company for the so called Stand Alone Weapon System (SAWS) development and integration. Roketsan and Eurocopter have indeed considered doing the firing campaign in Turkey. But for the moment we stay with the test helicopter in South Africa
Defence Turkey:You collaborated with ASELSAN on the thermal imaging system to be used for the EC 635. Would you inform us on the present situation of this program? Also, as with C?R?T, there is no export limitation on this product. At the same time it is very advantageous in terms of price and quality. What are your views on the sale of this system to third countries jointly with ASELSAN?
The thermal imaging system (TIS) is used in our Electro Optical System (EOS) which we have already implemented on the EC635 and can be used on other Eurocopter platforms as well. The key driver for Eurocopter is technical excellence and service after the sale, as we have to meet the customer requirements and also take care about the after sales support. With Turkey having close relationships to other countries in the Middle East region we hope that we will not face any export limitations for our EOS including the TIS from Aselsan. The same is valid for CIRIT from Roketsan. The sales will very much depend on the requirements of the end user and the competitiveness on the price.
Defence TurkeyPreviously you manufactured 30 Cougar helicopters with TAI within the framework of the Phoenix II Program. TAI still continues with the fuselage manufacturing for the Super Puma family. In addition, TAI manufactures parts for your EC-135 helicopter. Leaving all this aside, do you plan to form a stronger partnership with TAI in the year ahead?
TAI and EC have established a good relationship during all the years and therefore TAI is always considered when we look for future business. But we have to keep in mind that Eurocopter is generating its turnover mainly in the export market and therefore competitiveness is a key driving factor also concerning the selection of our suppliers or partners. We hope that in the near future we can form a stronger partnership as we have several projects in front of us where TAI could be a major partner for Eurocopter.
Defence TurkeyTurkey has been preparing for the Light Utility Helicopter Program for some time and the Undersecretariat for Defence Industries has been undertaking the necessary work related to this Program. Are you preparing in any way regarding this Program?
The light utility helicopter program or now called national helicopter program is a promising project and we already made up our mind how to support Turkey in developing a Light Utility Helicopter.
As you know, Eurocopter has great experience in international cooperation. You just mentioned the U.S. Army UH-72A Lakota helicopter program in the U.S., which is repeatedly noted by Department of Defense officials for its on-time and on-budget deliveries. Another example is the Korean Utility Helicopter Program in which Eurocopter has been supporting Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in developing a military transport helicopter. 245 units of the Surion will be produced by KAI from 2011, to replace the Republic of Korea (RoK) Army?s fleet of utility and transport helicopters. For the National Helicopter Program in Turkey we already assessed several ideas which we will share with SSM and local industry in Turkey
Defence TurkeyIn his press briefing that took place in Ankara, Mr. Hein drew attention to raising quality and qualified engineers in the area of helicopters and underlined that the right place for this was industry. Furthermore, he provided information on the helicopter technology and design department that you have established at Munich University in Germany. He mentioned about the necessity of inter-university exchange programs. Do you foresee new collaborations between Germany and Turkey to meet the need for qualified engineers in the area of helicopters in the year ahead? Can we have your assessments?
Indeed, qualified and motivated employees are key to keep the lead in innovation and to provide our customers with the best solutions to fulfill their missions. In order to enhance Eurocopter?s research and development resources we took different initiatives: Besides recruiting campaigns to hire experienced and highly qualified personnel, we support universities in our founding countries to reinforce education in helicopter technology and design. These universities maintain various international relations and encourage students to gain experience abroad. We welcome and support every initiative to exchange and partner in order to strengthen education.
Defence TurkeyThank you again for giving us your time. Lastly, do you have anything to say to our readers of Defence Turkey?
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to present Eurocopter at this place. I?d like to point out that Eurocopter is committed to Turkey and we see your country not only as an important market but also as becoming a strong partner for future global business opportunities. With our local partners we continue to develop high level cooperation and are open for new Turkish partners. Together we will explore new opportunities on the civil and governmental helicopter market in Turkey and abroad.
