Over the years CASA had become an indispensable partner in all major European aerospace undertakings. It was therefore normal, when the idea of a European regrouping emerged, in the second half of the 1990s, that CASA be part of it. This led to the signature of an agreement, on 2nd December 1999, in Madrid which marked the merger of Aerospatiale Matra, CASA and DASA into the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS). Present at the ceremony were the French Prime Minister, Lionel Jospin, the Spanish Premier, José María Aznar, and the German Chancellor, Gerhard Schröder. The merger of the three companies became effective in July 2000.
As for the French and German aerospace industries, this led to a reorganisation of the various sectors of the activities under the EADS umbrella. The part of CASA which was involved in Airbus aircraft became part of Airbus. The part involved in Ariane and related space activities joined Astrium, while the Eurofighter sector became part of the Defence & Security Division, now called Cassidian.
A400M FAL
Airbus Military
As for the part of CASA involved in the in-house developed airlifters as well as in the conversions, including the A330 MRTT, it became a newly created “Military Transport Aircraft Division” (MTAD). MTAD also was a shareholder in Airbus Military SL (AMSL), the organisation in charge of running the A400M programme which involved the industries of seven nations, and which had Airbus as a major shareholder. In order to simplify and streamline this rather complex set-up, it was decided, at EADS level, to merge MTAD and AMSL into Airbus Military under Airbus. This integration allowed the streamlining and simplification of the organisation while also better benefitting from the synergies in airframe designs between the commercial and military transport aircraft, as well as exploiting the potential military applications and derivatives of Airbus commercial platforms.
The integration became effective on 15th April 2009. It is clear that Airbus Military builds on the long tradition and experience developed by the former Construcciones Aeronáuticas Sociedad Anónima (CASA), in the development and production of tactical transport and surveillance aircraft, with a true spirit of collaboration and an ideal of self improvement and dedication. This long tradition reflects the great commitment to aviation on the part of all employees. Don José would be proud of the achievements.
Wordt vertaald, even geduld aub..
