akritas
02-10-2008, 11:20 AM
February 5, 2008
ATHENS, Greece Under the agreement, the government-controlled defense and aerospace company Hellenic Aerospace Industry SA will obtain technology and know-how to bolster its airframe design and development capability at a newly created design center recently opened by the company. The move comes before a long-awaited tender by the Greek air force to purchase several dozen next-generation fighter aircraft. EADS's warplane unit, Eurofighter, is one of several companies hoping to win a deal with Greece. "Greece is welcome to become an integrated partner in the Eurofighter program," said Bernhard Gerwert, chief executive officer of Military Air Systems, a unit of the EADS Defence & Security Division. Reiterating the company's earlier calls for Greece to join the European countries that use Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft -- Germany, Britain, Italy, Spain and Austria -- Gerwert said "we offer Greece a long lasting partnership which will secure high tech jobs and facilitate industrial development and economic growth." Last year, the company signed a 4 million euro production contract with EADS to manufacture a part of the air intake system for all Eurofighters through 2013, adding to existing component production deals worth about 38 million euros.
http://www.articlesextra.com/main-fotos/eurofighter-typhoon-2.jpg
In 2003, the previous Socialist government of Greece initialed a preliminary contract with Eurofighter with an eye to acquiring as many as 60 of the aircraft. But following elections in March 2004, the newly elected New Democracy government put off a decision on the contract due to budget constraints. The government, which was re-elected in September, is expected to launch a new tender this year for a next generation of fighter aircraft. Apart from the Eurofighter, the Lockheed Martin Corp. F-16, the Boeing Co. F-18, the Dassault Aviation SA Rafale and the Swedish Gripen fighter are also reportedly contenders.
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8UKADAG0.htm
ATHENS, Greece Under the agreement, the government-controlled defense and aerospace company Hellenic Aerospace Industry SA will obtain technology and know-how to bolster its airframe design and development capability at a newly created design center recently opened by the company. The move comes before a long-awaited tender by the Greek air force to purchase several dozen next-generation fighter aircraft. EADS's warplane unit, Eurofighter, is one of several companies hoping to win a deal with Greece. "Greece is welcome to become an integrated partner in the Eurofighter program," said Bernhard Gerwert, chief executive officer of Military Air Systems, a unit of the EADS Defence & Security Division. Reiterating the company's earlier calls for Greece to join the European countries that use Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft -- Germany, Britain, Italy, Spain and Austria -- Gerwert said "we offer Greece a long lasting partnership which will secure high tech jobs and facilitate industrial development and economic growth." Last year, the company signed a 4 million euro production contract with EADS to manufacture a part of the air intake system for all Eurofighters through 2013, adding to existing component production deals worth about 38 million euros.
http://www.articlesextra.com/main-fotos/eurofighter-typhoon-2.jpg
In 2003, the previous Socialist government of Greece initialed a preliminary contract with Eurofighter with an eye to acquiring as many as 60 of the aircraft. But following elections in March 2004, the newly elected New Democracy government put off a decision on the contract due to budget constraints. The government, which was re-elected in September, is expected to launch a new tender this year for a next generation of fighter aircraft. Apart from the Eurofighter, the Lockheed Martin Corp. F-16, the Boeing Co. F-18, the Dassault Aviation SA Rafale and the Swedish Gripen fighter are also reportedly contenders.
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/financialnews/D8UKADAG0.htm