Eurocopter Awarded in Tokyo

Over 200 VIPs of Japan and French business, trade and

industries gathered at the Roppongi Hills for the French

Financial Agency Award who gave the palm of honor to

Eurocopter Corporation.

Before giving the prices to the four prizes winner, Trade

Minister Idrac recalled that France and Japan “share not only

many values on the economics but also agree on fundamental

questions such as the innovation, research, reasoned practice

of finance and environmental protection”. Idrac called for

the multiplication of the partnerships and alliances between

the companies of France and Japan.

The Japanese companies member elects of the prices of the

investment in France this year are OTSUKA Holdings Co., Ltd

and TORAY Industries, Inc. French companies preceded for

theirs investments in Japan are EUROCOPTER (Helicopters)

and FIVES (Engineering).

The ceremony was enclosed by a speech of Mr. Fukuhara,

honorary president of SHISEIDO, ex KEIDANREN Vice Chairman

of the Board of Councillors, and copresident of the club of

businesses France - Japan, who congratulated the four prizes

winner and carried a toast in their honor in the name of the

jury.

Eurocopter-Hermes designed helicopter

Eurocopter, the world's leading helicopter manufacturer

and a division of EADS, received the 2009 French-Japanese

Investment Award, presented by the French Agency for

International Investment (AFII) in Tokyo today.

The agency's mission is to promote Foreign Direct Investment

by targeting potential investors and assisting them in the

investment process.

Since 2004, the French-Japanese investment awards have been

attributed each year by the AFII to companies that have made

outstanding contributions to the economies of Japan or France

through Foreign Direct Investment. The 2009 ceremony was

attended by Mrs. Anne-Marie Idrac, French Secretary of State

for Foreign Trade.

Anne-Marie Idrac

Eurocopter has been present in Japan for forty years. The

Group has captured a 57% share of the Japanese civil and

parapublic helicopter market, with 360 Eurocopter helicopters

currently in service in the country. In April 2009, Eurocopter

decided to reinforce the activities of its local subsidiary,

Eurocopter Japan, by acquiring an additional 80% of the

shares in its former distributor, the Japanese Euroheli

Corporation, thereby increasing its total holding to 90%.

Eurocopter also acquired a 60% stake in the newly formed

maintenance company Eurocopter Japan T&E. The remaining 40%

is owned by the Group's Japanese partner All Nippon Airways

Maintenance (ANAM). These two acquisitions have

significantly increased the Group's industrial presence in

Japan. Through the two deals, which were negotiated in

complete transparency with the respective Japanese partners,

Eurocopter has become the first foreign manufacturer in the

aeronautics sector to possess its own industrial capacity in

Japan, and to receive this prestigious award.

Eurocopter UH-72 Lakota US forces

Eurocopter Japan (ECJ) has approximately one hundred and

sixty employees and is directly responsible for sales and

customer support activities for the full range of

Eurocopter's civil and military helicopters. The Group has

made considerable progress in both the civil and military

sectors on the Japanese market over the past few months.

Eurocopter 135

In the beginning of this year, the Japan Maritime

Self-Defense Forces decided to replace the training aircraft

for its pilots with a fleet of 15 EC135 helicopters. In the

civil sector, the commercial version of the EC135 is being

used to fly EMS (emergency medical services) missions,

commonly known as "Doctor Heli" in the country. Buyers have

also been found for the VIP Hermès version of the EC135 for

whom it is now performing shuttle flights between downtown

Tokyo and Narita International Airport

Philippe Harache, Executive Vice-President Customers in

Eurocopter : “Eurocopter is extremely honored to receive the

6th edition of the French investment award in Japan. For our

company, this award underlines the recognition of the efforts

we have made in the country for more than 40 years. By

significantly increasing the portfolio of our value-added

services locally, we are confident that we will better

improve customer satisfaction and ensure our continued

success.”

Eurocopter Super Puma EC225

About Eurocopter

Established in 1992, the Franco-German-Spanish Eurocopter

Group is a Division of EADS, a world leader in aerospace,

defence and related services. The Eurocopter Group employs

approx. 15,600 people. In 2008, Eurocopter confirmed its

position as the world’s No. 1 helicopter manufacturer in the

civil and parapublic market, with a turnover of 4.5 billion

Euros, orders for 715 new helicopters, and a 53 percent

market share in the civil and parapublic sectors.

Overall, the Group’s products account for 30 percent of the

total world helicopter fleet. Its strong worldwide presence

is ensured by its 18 subsidiaries on five continents, along

with a dense network of distributors, certified agents and

maintenance centers. More than 10,000 Eurocopter helicopters

are currently in service with over 2,800 customers in more

than 140 countries. Eurocopter offers the largest civil and

military helicopter range in the world.