Airbus Helicopters, TAI sign sale and support deal

Airbus Helicopters has entered into an agreement with Thai Aviation Industries (TAI) to support the sale and supply of rotary-wing aircraft to Thai military and civilian customers.

The agreement, which was signed on 11 February in Bangkok, positions state-owned TAI as Airbus Helicopters’ “prime contractor and completion centre for the sale and distribution of its helicopters” in Thailand, said a press release. The accord also expands the scope of the two firms’ existing partnership.

Thailand has expanded procurements of Airbus Helicopters platforms in recent years, including orders of four additional multirole H225Ms in 2018. (Airbus Helicopters)

Airbus Helicopters said that under the new arrangement, TAI will “act on behalf” of the European group in pursuing and securing new rotorcraft sales in the Southeast Asian country.

TAI will also undertake additional workshare activities in terms of acceptance checks, transportation, reassembly, customisations and “completion work”, flight checks, final deliveries to customers, and the management of related contracts and warranties.

For its part, Airbus Helicopters said it will provide TAI with engineering support, knowledge transfer, and training. It added that the new partnership agreement covers the “entire Airbus range” of helicopters.

Vincent Dubrule, head of Airbus Helicopters’ Asia-Pacific business operations, said the agreement underlines the company’s commitment to expanding its profile in Thailand, and its alliance with TAI to strengthen local support chains.

He added, “We are building on a strong foundation that has seen reliable maintenance support provided through our partner TAI.”

Airbus Helicopters and TAI signed an initial partnership agreement in February 2018, with the accord enabling the Thai company to support Airbus platforms operated by the Royal Thai Armed Forces and the Royal Thai Police. The accord positioned TAI as Airbus’ authorised distributor in the country.