The European Investment Bank has signed a €1 billion loan with Airbus, the first tranche of a €3 billion envelope agreed to support the manufacturer's research and development through 2030.

The financing will back advanced technologies and integrated systems for commercial aviation as well as security and defence systems. Specific projects are located across France, Germany and Spain.

“The EIB Group is deploying its full firepower to bolster Europe's technological autonomy, industrial strength and economic competitiveness,” says EIB President Nadia Calviño. “This is a flagship operation which shows that Europe can move with speed and at scale to support its champions and reinforce its position in the emerging geopolitical landscape.”

“This facility reinforces the depth of our strategic partnership with the EIB, supporting the commercial and defence research that drives European industrial competitiveness,” adds Airbus CFO Thomas Toepfer. “The highly competitive terms and extended flexibility grant us the maximum optionality to manage our balance sheet, minimise the cost of carry and sustain our long-term investments in aerospace innovation.”

The loan was signed at a ceremony in Brussels attended by Airbus CEO Guillaume Faury and EIB Vice-Presidents Robert de Groot, Ambroise Fayolle and Nicola Beer.

The financing falls under the EIB's TechEU initiative, which seeks to accelerate investment in critical technologies and strengthen the EU's industrial and technological competitiveness.