EADS buys BAE's share; becomes sole owner of Airbus

EADS on October 13 acquired from BAE Systems its 20 percent stake in Airbus for €2.75 billion. This value was determined by an independent expert during the put option process which was launched by BAE Systems in June 2006. EADS paid in cash from the existing resources of the group. EADS is therefore now the sole owner of Airbus.

EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2005, EADS generated revenues of €34.2 billion and employed a workforce of approximately 113,000. The EADS Group includes the aircraft manufacturer Airbus, the world's largest helicopter supplier Eurocopter and the joint venture MBDA, the international leader in missile systems. EADS is the major partner in the Eurofighter consortium, is the prime contractor for the Ariane launcher, develops the A400M military transport aircraft and is one of the largest industrial partners for the European satellite navigation system Galileo.