Bangalore, Dec 4 (IANS) European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co (EADS), which manufactures civil and military aircraft, communications systems, missiles, space rockets and satellites, has commenced research operations here.
“The opening of EADS Innovation Works in Bangalore is part of our global research and technology strategy,” EADS chief technology officer Jean Botti told reporters Friday at the new facility.

“India is very strategic for us as a supplier and partner in high-end aerospace products and services,” Botti added.

The $65-billion European aerospace major, which also owns aircraft manufacturer Airbus, declined to spell out the investment in the project, but said it will pour in more funds to expand operations.

“We will develop research capabilities to access new technologies and engineering resources. India is an important part of our vision for research and technology growth owing to the bright engineering talent available here,” Botti said.

The innovation centre will work with the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) in Mumbai, Kanpur and Delhi and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) in Bangalore to design next generation simulators and develop software for noise reduction in aero engines.

Located at the Airbus engineering centre, the India branch of EADS Innovation Works is third such facility outside Europe and second in Asia after Singapore.

About 200 civilian aircraft designed and manufactured by EADS are currently in operation in India with state-run and private airlines. Similarly, about 600 civil helicopters are in use by various agencies in the Indian sub-continent.

The Netherlands-based European aerospace corporation was formed in July 2000 by the merger of DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG (DASA) of Germany, Aerospatiale-Matra of France and Construcciones Aeronauticas SA (CAS) of Spain.

The consortium develops and markets civil and military aircraft, besides communication systems, missiles, space rockets, satellites and associated systems.