Airbus A400M Military Transport Aircraft Rolled Out In Spain.

The first Airbus A400M military transport aircraft was rolled out to the world on June 26th in Seville (Spain). The A400M is a turboprop-powered transporter intended to serve with seven NATO air forces. Nine countries have so far placed a total of 192 orders for the A400M. These are Belgium, Britain, France, Germany, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Spain, South Africa and Turkey. France will receive the first in-service example in 2010.

The first flight was originally scheduled for the beginning of 2008, but now looks likely to take place in September/ October. Before that, though, the engines intended to power the A400M are being air tested on a C-130.

Spain has ordered 27 units of the Airbus A400M.

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Presentado el avión de transporte militar Airbus A400M en España.

El primer Airbus A400M se presentó al mundo el 26 de Junio en Sevilla (España). El A400M es un transporte turbohélice diseñado para inicialmente para servir en siete fuerzas aéreas de la OTAN. Sin embargo, ya nueve países se han unido al proyecto contabilizándose hasta la fecha 192 unidades encargadas. Se trata de Bélgica, Gran Bretaña, Francia, Alemania, Luxemburgo, Malasia, España, Sudáfrica y Turquía. Francia recibirá la primera unidad en 2010.

El primer vuelo estaba previsto inicialmente para principios de 2008, pero ahora parece probable que tendrá lugar en septiembre / octubre. Antes de eso, sin embargo, los motores destinados a impulsar el A400M están siendo probados en aviones C-130.

España ha ordenado 27 unidades del Airbus A400M.

A 400M structure static tests started in Madrid.

The static tests of a dedicated A 400M complete structure has begun at the Military Transport Aircraft Division (MTAD) facilities in Getafe, Madrid. The aim of this testing process is to demonstrate the reliability and integrity of the aircraft structure.

The A400M is designed for the transportation of all types of heavy military or civil loads such as vehicles, containers or pallets, as well as troops. It is a high-speed four turboprop engine aircraft specifically designed to meet the needs of European NATO nations and which equally fulfils the requirements of other air forces around the world. Currently, orders for the A400M stand at 192 firm commitments, including the seven European NATO launch customer nations Germany, France, Spain, UK, Turkey, Belgium and Luxembourg as well as South Africa and Malaysia.

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Comienzan los test de estructura del A 400M en Madrid

Han comenzado los ensayos estáticos sobre la estructura completa del A 400M en las instalaciones que para tal efecto tiene la División de Aviones de Transporte Militar (MTAD) en Getafe, Madrid. El objetivo de estos ensayos es demostrar la fiabilidad y seguridad de la estructura del avión.

El A400M está diseñado para el transporte de todo tipo de cargas pesadas civiles o militares desde vehículos, contenedores y paletas, hasta tropas. Es un avión propulsado por cuatro potentes turbopropulsores diseñado para cumplir con las necesidaes de las naciones OTAN y que además ha completado los requerimientos de otras fuerzas aéreas en el mundo. En la actualidad, hay 192 unidades encargadas por las siete naciones OTAN iniciadoras del proyecto: Francia, Alemania, España Reino Unido, Turquía, Bélgica y Luxemburgo, a las que se han unido Sudáfrica y Malasia.

A new helicopter engine maintenance centre in Albacete.

ITP Group (Industria de Turbo Propulsores SA) has signed an agreement with Castilla-La Mancha regional authorities for the creation of a helicopter engine maintenance centre in the Albacete Aeronautics Park. This centre is expected to begin its activity towards the end of this year. The new centre in Albacete will mean an initial investment of €15 millions.

The new centre’s project is based in the future maintenance needs of the programmes for the NH90 and EC 135 helicopters. The agreement has been possible because the commitment made by General Electric with the Spanish Government for the maintenance of an initial figure of over 45 engines. This means that there already exists a sufficient workload to ensure the viability of the new activity centre. Apart from this, as the only authorised independent centre in the world, ITP carries out maintenance work on the PW206 engines which equip the 48 EC135s due to be acquired by the Ministry of the Interior and which could also equip the new EC135s acquired by the Ministry of Defence.

ITP has recently maintained 270 M250 engines for the US Army’s Kiowa helicopters. Moreover, ITP is also responsible for the redesign of the upgraded version of the engine for the Eurocopter HAD Tiger helicopter, the MTR390 E, with which FAMET will be equipped. Support activities for this engine will also be carried out by ITP once it goes into service.

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Un nuevo centro de mantenimiento de motores de helicóptero en Albacete.

El Grupo ITP ha firmado un acuerdo con las autoridades regionales de Castilla-La Mancha para la creación de un centro de mantenimiento de helicópteros en el Parque Aeronáutico de Albacete. El nuevo centro supondrá una inversión inicial de 15 millones de euros.

El proyecto del nuevo centro se basa en las futuras necesidades derivadas del mantenimiento de los helicópteros NH90 y EC135. El acuerdo ha sido posible gracias al compromiso entre General Electric y el Gobierno de España para el mantenimiento de los 45 motores de los NH90 españoles. Además, ITP lleva el mantenimiento de los motores PW206 de los EC135 adquiridos por el Ministerio del Interior y que podrían equipar también a los adquiridos por el Ministerio de Defensa.

ITP ha concluido recientemente el mantenimiento de 270 motores M250 procedentes de los helicópteros Kiowa del US Army. Además, ITP es también responsable del rediseño hecho en los motores MTR390 de la versión mejorada HAD del Tigre con el que se dotarán las FAMET. El mantenimiento de este motor también será realizado por ITP, una vez que entre en servicio.

Spanish defence market forecasts by BMI company.

Last report done by Business Monitor International about the Spanish defence market predicts a solid outlook for the Spanish defence industry and a stable internal and security outlook.

BMI publishes specialist business information on global emerging markets for senior executives worldwide. A wholly independent, London-based company, BMI has specialized in the analysis of global emerging markets since its foundation in 1984. BMI's comprehensive range of weekly, monthly and annual reports contains the latest available data, forecasts and analysis on political risk, economic performance and outlook, the business environment, finance and leading industry sectors.

Three key ideas:

-Spanish security forces continue to focus their attention toward international threats. There are currently no major conventional military threats to the country, but the threat from international and domestic terrorism remains very real.

-The ongoing modernisation process at the heart of the armed forces, combined with an increase in Spain’s involvement in peacekeeping operations, has justified an overall increase in the defence budget. Also, in the light of the Madrid bombings and the pressing need to boost counter-terrorism operations, the new administration has opted for a 17.1% increase in the Security Services’ budget.

-Total expenditure is forecast to increase steadily from EUR9.03bn in 2005 to reach EUR10.15bn by 2010. The defence industry will benefit from planned increases in government expenditure. Restructuring and consolidation in the Spanish and European defence industry, and the state’s continued relinquishment of its hold on the industry, has allowed Spanish firms to increasingly integrate into pan-European and transatlantic markets, and gain greater access to international markets. As a result, arms exports are expected to rise in the near future, and imports are also likely to benefit from the government’s modernisation plans.