Rolls-Royce defence business 'well-placed for the future'

With the largest customer base in the world and over a quarter of the world's installed military engines, Rolls-Royce has built a strong market position from which to grow its defence aero-engine business, according to Colin Green, President - Defence Aerospace, Rolls-Royce.

At the Farnborough 2002 airshow, Mr Green said: "With an installed base of more than 20,000 engines, we are the world's number two in the defence market. We have 160 customers world-wide and equipment operated in more countries than any other engine manufacturer."

In the United States Rolls-Royce is a significant force with 6,800 installed engines on currently operational aircraft and over 25 per cent of military aircraft planned for purchase by the Department of Defense will be Rolls-Royce powered. The company is also well positioned in Europe with 40 per cent of the installed engine market in the region.

Mr Green continued: "Partnering is second nature to Rolls-Royce: the company is involved in all major European collaborative projects and has a unique position on the US-led Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) programme through its partnership arrangements."

With such a large installed base and a wide variety of customers, the military aftermarket offers a major opportunity to grow the business, according to Green.

The extent to which the company is involved in two of the world's largest combat programmes is unique in the aero-engine industry. Rolls-Royce is the sole system provider for all JSF vertical lift components, including the new LiftFan. The company has a 40 per cent share in the F136 engine for JSF as well as being a partner in the EJ200 engine for Eurofighter Typhoon.

Rolls-Royce is working with a range of air vehicle manufacturers to develop engines for the emerging unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market, whether they are derivatives of existing products or new engines.

The TP400 D6 turboprop being offered for the European A400M military transport aircraft is a collaborative joint venture between four leading European aero-engine companies. It has been designed to meet the latest Airbus specifications with sufficient margin in key areas such as weight, fuel consumption and power output.

Mr Green concluded: "Our involvement in a range of new programmes, the capability to develop existing and new engines and the opportunity to extend our service offerings, means our defence business is very well placed for the future."

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