The Military Aircraft division of Airbus Defence and Space (previously known as Airbus Military) is set to maintain its links with the South African aerospace industry. "Airbus remains committed to the South African industry," Military Aircraft division head of commercial Antonio Rodriguez Barberan told Engineering News Online in Seville, Spain, on Monday.

South African companies Denel Aerostructures and Aerosud manufacture important components for the Airbus A400M strategic transport aircraft. He did, however, caution that his company retained its freedom of decision. "If South Africa wants to remain a leader at the regional level, it needs to purchase strategic transports, in my opinion," he said.

In answer to a question from this website following his presentation at the company's annual Trade Media Briefing, he pointed out that "we have maintained production of A400M parts in South Africa, despite the contract cancellation." (South Africa once had eight A400Ms on order, but subsequently cancelled them, owing to delays in the programme and ostensibly on grounds of cost.)

"We want to be back in South Africa," he affirmed. "We know there is a need [in South Africa] for maritime patrol, for transport -- strategic and tactical. [Actually, w]e are there. We are helping maintain legacy C212s [operated by the South African Air Force]. It's very difficult to maintain such old aircraft." He reported that talks with Pretoria about new aircraft had slowed down in the run-up to the recent elections.

In his presentation, Barberan highlighted his company's commitment to cooperation with local industries around the world. "We are an extremely reliable industrial partner for countries around the world. We have demonstrated this. We have done it in Canada, Chile, Indonesia. It is part of our strategy. We are partners wherever we go."

This includes servicing and support for Airbus products. "We want to create strategic relations with local companies," he stated. "We are already doing this. In order to support the fleet and create a world-wide network of partners. We know we have to do it. We need to have local partners, partners that provide MRO [maintenance, repair and overhaul], to provide deep support, to our customers. We want to create a global approach in the years to come. We are already doing it."

Keith Campbell is attending the annual Trade Media Briefing of the Military Aircraft division of Airbus Defence and Space in Seville, Spain, as a guest of the company.