Airbus identifies East Asian expansion opportunities

Airbus executive Michael Schoellhorn has identified significant growth opportunities for the company in East Asia, particularly within the civil aviation and defense sectors. During a recent trip to Singapore and Japan, Schoellhorn noted that while countries like India and China are major customers for civil aircraft, markets in Singapore, Japan, and South Korea are also expanding rapidly.

In the defense sector, Schoellhorn observed a shift in regional dynamics. While Japan and South Korea have traditionally relied heavily on the United States for military equipment, recent U.S. policies have prompted a reassessment of suppliers. Airbus aims to offer products such as the A400M transport aircraft, the Eurodrone, and various military helicopters to these markets.

To address requirements for local production and technology transfer, Airbus maintains partnerships with companies like Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Korean Aerospace Industries. Despite local assembly requirements in some regions, many components continue to be manufactured in Germany, supporting facilities such as the plant in Donauwörth.