OREANDA-NEWS. On July 14, 2008 VSMPO-AVISMA Corporation, the Russian Titanium manufacturer, Airbus, a leading aircraft manufacturer, and its shareholder EADS, the European Aerospace and Defense Company, signed a framework agreement on titanium supply, reported the press-centre of VSMPO-AVISMA.

The agreement covers the supply of Titanium to Airbus and others EADS Divisions until 2020. It further boosts the relationship that exists between the companies since the early 1990s, by extending the number of added-value products purchased in Russia.

The scope of the contract includes the supply of Titanium round and flat mill products, and covers die forgings parts for all existing Airbus aircraft, including new programmes such as the A350XWB.

VSMPO-AVISMA may also machine Titanium products in order to develop a vertically integrated Titanium supply chain, starting from raw materials to finished products.

VSMPO-AVISMA will remain a leading supplier of Titanium to Airbus/EADS, covering a major part of their Titanium requirements.

The purchase of materials was one of Airbus’ earliest activities with Russia. It is now a part of Airbus’ full-scale cooperation programme with the Russian industry.

The value of the agreement may reach 4 billion US dollars.

VSMPO-AVISMA Corporation is the world’s largest Titanium producer. At present the Company exports 70% of its products, 30% are sold in the domestic market. Major customers of VSMPO-AVISMA are the world’s leading aircraft-building companies. The Company is fully vertically integrated and employs over 20 000 people.

Airbus is a leading aircraft manufacturer with the most modern and comprehensive product line on the market, Airbus is a global company with design and manufacturing facilities in France, Germany, the UK, and Spain as well as subsidiaries in the U.S., China, Japan and in the Middle East. Headquartered in Toulouse, France, Airbus is an EADS company.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2007, EADS generated revenues of ?39.1 billion and employed a workforce of about 116,000. The Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and EADS Astrium, the European leader in space programmes from Ariane to Galileo. Its Defence & Security Division is a provider of comprehensive systems solutions and makes EADS the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium as well as a stakeholder in the missile systems provider MBDA. EADS also develops the A400M through its Military Transport Aircraft Division.