Eurocopter Romania begins production

Eurocopter Romania, part of the EADS (European Aeronautic Defence and Space) Group, the world’s second largest company in this sector, inaugurated its first production facility in Brasov at the end of last week. This is where the work on upgrading the UK Ministry of Defence’s three Puma helicopters is being carried out. The facility will also integrate an assembly line for the EC 135 and EC 165 helicopters, under the contract between Eurocopter SAS and Eurocopter Romania, signed in November 2003. The contract stipulates the gradual integration of the assembly line for the two choppers at Eurocopter Romania in three stages between 2004-2005, depending on the existing demand. During the first stage Eurocopter will assemble five helicopters, with an additional 35 to be completed during the second stage. The third stage will begin after the completion of the fortieth helicopter. Eurocopter Romania hopes to see enough demand so as to assemble 5 or 10 such models each year from that point onwards. ZF