As part of this agreement, Arianespace has ordered from Astrium, long-lead items and the start of production activities for the 18 additional launchers. These items and the first production activities are valued at more than 400 million euros.

Astrium and Arianespace plan to sign the full production contract for the additional launchers before the end of 2013. These additional 18 Ariane 5s should be launched from 2017 onwards, following on from the 35 launchers ordered in 2009 (PB batch). Present at the signing were Stéphane Israël, Arianespace Chairman and CEO and Alain Charmeau, CEO of Astrium Space Transportation.

This order takes the number of Ariane 5 launchers in production for Arianespace to 38, and guarantees the continued provision of launch services for the European operator’s customers at the Guiana Space Centre through to the end of the decade. Stéphane Israël said: “Ariane 5 is the most reliable launcher in the world. We need to secure the future production for our customers, beyond the 20 launchers currently being built, which is why we are ordering long-lead items for a further batch of 18 launchers.

My thanks to Astrium and the European space industry for this exceptional launcher. My thanks also to the shareholders of Arianespace, and in particular to the French Space Agency CNES, for this vote of confidence in the future.” “This agreement enables Astrium, which has been prime contractor for Ariane 5 since 2003, to ensure the continuity of production beyond 2017,” explained Alain Charmeau, CEO of Astrium Space Transportation. “It also guarantees the continuity of the entire industrial production chain which comprises 550 companies (of which 20% are SMEs) and 6,000 people across 12 European countries.”

Arianespace is the world leader in its sector and its order book represents more than three years of work, which represents 4 billion euros in value. Astrium, the number one company in Europe for space technologies and the second in the world, is the sole prime contractor of Ariane 5 and provides Arianespace with complete launchers that are tested and integrated at the Guiana Space Centre. Astrium also manages all the contracts of the industrial partners in the Ariane programme’s 12 partner countries.

About Arianespace

Arianespace is the world’s leading satellite launch company, delivering innovation to its customers since 1980. Backed by 21 shareholders and the European Space Agency, the company offers an international workforce renowned for a culture of commitment and excellence. As of September 18, 2013, Arianespace had carried out a total of 215 Ariane launches, 31 Soyuz launches (five at the Guiana Space Center and 26 at Baikonur via Starsem) and two Vega launches. Arianespace has a backlog of 19 Ariane 5, 10 Soyuz and four Vega launches, equaling three years of business.

About Astrium

Astrium is the number one company in Europe for space technologies and the second in the world. It is the only global company that covers the full range of civil and defence space systems, equipment and services. In 2012, Astrium had a turnover over €5.8 billion and 18,000 employees worldwide. Its three business units are: Astrium Space Transportation, the European prime contractor for launchers, orbital systems and space exploration; Astrium Satellites, a leading provider of satellite system solutions, including spacecraft, ground segments, payloads and equipments; Astrium Services, the Space services partner for critical missions, providing comprehensive fixed and mobile solutions covering secure and commercial satcoms and networks, and bespoke geo-information services, worldwide.

Astrium is a wholly owned subsidiary of EADS, a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2012, the Group – comprising Airbus, Astrium, Cassidian and Eurocopter – generated revenues of €56.5 billion and employed a workforce of over 140,000.