Irkut, EADS and Rolls-Royce Deutschland Finalize Feasibility Study on Amphibious Aircraft Be-200: ``Viable Business Case with Good Market Prospective''.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

Paris Air Show 2003

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 18, 2003

The three aerospace companies EADS, Irkut and Rolls-Royce Deutschland have finalized their feasibility study on the Russian-made amphibious aircraft Be-200.

The three companies have identified a market potential for 320 aircraft in 25 countries over the next 20 years as fire-fighting and multi-role mission aircraft. In its role as an amphibious fire-fighting aircraft it has a unique water scooping capacity of up to 12 t (3000 US Gallons).

"EADS and its partners are now preparing the detailed sales proposition for the Western markets", says Jan Zesewitz, Senior Vice President Marketing of EADS. "This includes Western certification and provision of a full product and customer support capability."

Based on the successful completion of the joint feasibility study Irkut, EADS and Rolls-Royce Deutschland will authorize to offer the fire fighting version of the Be-200 with BR715 engines in August during MAKS 2003 Air Show in Moscow. The three partners are preparing for the introduction of the aircraft mainly in Europe, North America and Australia.

"The Be-200 is a unique multi-role aircraft that can be used for a whole range of tasks: search and rescue (SAR), transportation of passengers and freight, maritime surveillance, etc.

However, it is the fire-fighting version equipped with BR715 engines that has the best chances in the world's markets," says Valery Bezverkhny, Vice President of Irkut.

The study confirmed the potential to power the Be-200 with two modern Rolls-Royce BR715 engines. "Its excellent fuel efficiency and extremely high reliability make the BR715 the ideal power plant for the Be-200" says Stefan Zimmermann, Head of Business Development for Rolls-Royce Deutschland.

This initiative by EADS, Irkut and Rolls-Royce Deutschland is a result of the cooperation agreement signed in 2001 between EADS and the Russian aerospace agency Rosaviakosmos in Moscow.

The Be-200 was developed for fire-fighting missions. It is equipped with two jet engines, can take off and land on water or ground and is able to scoop 12 tons of water in 17 seconds. Two prototypes are already flying and the aircraft has been certified in Russia for fire-fighting mission. The launch customer is the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations, which has ordered seven aircraft. One of these aircraft will delivered to the customer in June 2003.

About Irkut:

The Irkut Corporation is one of the leading companies in the Russian aerospace industry, with numerous significant development and production centres being united under its roof: OAO "Irkutsk Aircraft Production Organisation" (IAPO), OAO "TANTK Beriev", OAO "Beta Air", SAO "OKB Russkaja Avionika", SAO "Itela" etc. 16,000 employees work in the companies of the Irkut Corporation, producing a broad spectrum of high-tech products. These range from combat aircraft of the Su-27 and Su-30 families to amphibious aircraft and autogiros and also include ground equipment and simulators. The company also carries out upgrades of various types of helicopter. At the start of 2003, the company's order book was worth US $ 4 bn and it is set to rise to US $ 5 bn by the end of the year. Irkut is in the process of realising several passenger and transport aircraft development projects, among which are both internally-funded and international ventures. It is therefore positioned as an integrated company with a broad profile covering the whole production chain through development, manufacture and after-sales service. Irkut is the only Russian aerospace company that has undergone auditing to international standards, the audit having been conducted by PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

About EADS:

EADS is a global aerospace and defense company and is the world's second largest in terms of revenues with EUR 29.9 billion in 2002. EADS has a workforce of more than 100,000 and is a market leader in defence technology, commercial aircraft, helicopters, space, military transport and combat aircraft, as well as related services. It's family of leading brands includes the commercial aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter manufacturer Eurocopter, the space company Astrium and MBDA, the world's second largest missile company. EADS is the biggest partner in the Eurofighter consortium and heads the A400M military transport aircraft programme. The company has over 70 sites in Germany, France, Great Britain and Spain. It is active in many regions worldwide, including the U.S., Russia and Asia. www.eads.net