Airbus reports strong progress in generating FWSAR work in Canada

#FWSAR #C295 @AirbusDefence

OTTAWA, Dec. 3, 2018 /CNW/ - Airbus is solidly on-track in providing to Canadian industry the required level of high value work associated with the Fixed-Wing Search and Rescue Aircraft Replacement (FWSAR) In Service Support (ISS) program.

In its first FWSAR Value Proposition ISS annual report to the Government of Canada, submitted earlier this year and covering 2017, the company declared that more than 80 percent of the ISS work was already being performed by Canadian industry in Canada. That data has now been validated and accepted by Canada.

The activity, led by Airbus and its Canadian ISS integration partner AirPro – a joint venture with PAL Aerospace – is rapidly generating work and employment at partners such as CAE and Accenture.

AirPro itself has already recruited nearly 20 highly qualified full-time staff to work on FWSAR ISS, and are adding resources in fields such as aeronautical engineering, architecture, construction, information technology and project management.

More than 125,000 Canadian labour hours of work were performed by five companies in 2017 and the figure will grow more rapidly as many other companies begin their supply roles further into the program. The AirPro activity in particular will markedly increase as the Airbus CC295 aircraft enters service and day-to-day ISS activities such as maintenance begin.

Simon Jacques, President of Airbus Defence and Space in Canada, said: "We are proud of having made such a successful start to the development and transfer of capability to Canada with all the associated high value work that it brings. Ensuring an active role for AirPro in this set-up phase will ensure that it has a solid preparation for its ISS role in the operational phase. And this new expertise has the potential to be reused in other Canadian programs."

Canada's Industrial and Technological Benefits (ITB) Policy applies to the FWSAR contract and ensures that the total value of the contract is leveraged resulting in high value jobs in the Canadian economy.  The FWSAR program is supporting some $2.5 billion in Industrial and Technological Benefits to Canada, through high-value, long-term partnerships with Canadian industry.

"The work done in Canada as part of the fixed-wing search and rescue project demonstrates the tangible benefits of our Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy for Canadian industry," said the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development. "This project will provide the Canadian Armed Forces with the equipment and services they need to keep Canada safe, and the Industrial and Technological Benefits Policy ensures Canadians have access to middle-class jobs, growing our economy along the way."

About Airbus
Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2017 it generated revenues of € 59 billion restated for IFRS 15 and employed a workforce of around 129,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners from 100 to more than 600 seats. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world's leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.

SOURCE Airbus

Media contacts: Kieran DALY, [email protected], [phone]; Chris MCCLUSKEY, [email protected], [phone]