Airbus to refund South Africa's for A400M cancellation - commits to partnership

Airbus Military has refunded South Africa’s pre-delivery payments for the A400M military transport aircraft while, at the same time, opening the door to further close cooperation with South Africa after the finalisation of negotiations..

 “The agreement we signed with Armscor on 29 November 2011, draws a line under the cancelled A400M acquisition, but crucially, it lets us all move forward together to explore further opportunities, including upcoming acquisition projects led by Armscor, “explained Airbus Military CEO, Mr Domingo Urena.

South Africa was given full industrial partner status in the A400M programme in 2005 by Airbus Military.  In return, South Africa committed to acquire 8 A400M aircraft in a fixed price contract worth EUR 837 million.

Despite South Africa cancelling its A400M acquisition in November 2009, local companies, Denel Aerostructures and Aerosud, have remained responsible for the design engineering, manufacturing and supply of several major parts, including:

• aircraft top shells (roof),
• wing-fuselage fairing (the largest single aircraft component ever manufactured in South Africa),
• aerodynamically complex wing-tips (which directly influence fuel efficiency and carbon emissions)
• cabin and cockpit insulation & linings and
• galleys

 In addition, Cape Town-based Cobham South Africa, supplies the satellite communications antennae and related systems.

 Airbus has also launched and committed to ZAR4 billion worth of industrial and research activities with South African partners through to 2020.