New orders and deliveries strengthen Airbus Military's prospects for future sales opportunities

Airbus Military booked five new orders for its C295/CN235 transports in 2011 while delivering a total of 29 aircraft from its product line during the year, bringing the business unit's overall backlog to 222 aircraft as of 31 December.

The 2011 deliveries were composed of 20 aircraft from its light- and medium-sized airlifter families (10 C295s, seven CN235s and three C212s), along with six A330 Multi Role Tanker Transports (MRTTs) and three modernised P3 maritime aircraft.

Airbus President and CEO Tom Enders said the build-up of A330 MRTT deliveries is underscoring this aircraft's role as the reference in new-generation tanker/transport systems.

"As the current customers receive more A330 MRTTs and put them in service, we have every reason to believe we'll be adding additional orders because this aircraft is very promising for the world's air forces," Enders said at today's joint Airbus/EADS New Year's press conference, held in Hamburg, Germany.

Airbus Military's large new A400M tactical/strategic airlifter is making good progress toward its certification and delivery start-up, with five aircraft having accumulated more than 2,600 hours in 900 test flights.

"We are on track to start A400M deliveries some 12 months from now, with the French Air Force receiving the initial aircraft," Enders said. "Having 174 A400Ms already in the backlog from the first group of customers, we will start actively marketing the aircraft this year, and we think there is a potential for the sale of some 400 or more worldwide."