Today, EADS's former military transport aircraft division, MTAD becomes fully integrated into Airbus. As a new Airbus business unit, "Airbus Military" will be accountable for all military activities within Airbus. The integration and "Day 1" of the new unit - celebrated in Seville/Spain today - follows an EADS Board decision of December 2008.

Based in Spain Airbus Military is in charge of all EADS military transport aircraft, ranging from the small CN-235 and C-295 transport aircraft, to the world leading multi role tanker transport (MRTT) based on the Airbus A330, and the A400M. It also includes further military derivatives of Airbus civil aircraft. Airbus Military will continue to provide support and services to customers and operators.

Airbus Military will become an Airbus business unit with profit and loss responsibility and accountability. The scope of its activities ranges from aircraft and specific military systems development and integration, to industrialisation, marketing and sales.

The integration will allow the military programmes' organisation and management to be more efficient. Clear and unified command lines will be implemented. The A400M programme now falls under the full and sole responsibility of Domingo Ureña, the new Head of Airbus Military. A better allocation of industrial and engineering resources will be one of the crucial benefits of this integration. Operational synergies at development and industrial level for both civil and military transport aircraft will be fully explored, while at the same time safeguarding and leveraging Airbus Military's specific capabilities. "Building civil and military aircraft under one roof supports our Airbus' Vision 2020 to be a top-performing enterprise. The integration strengthens our military business by providing the right capabilities and structures to address the programme challenges ahead, particularly those of the A400M," says Airbus President and CEO Tom Enders. "We warmly welcome our new colleagues with their unique military expertise to become part of the Airbus family."

Domingo Ureña, Head of Airbus Military, added: "I am fully committed to get the A400M back on track again. Because of its unique capabilities the aircraft will set standards in military transport in the 21st century and become a success. But I also know that, with the support of all teams, with their competence, commitment and dedication, and with the outstanding product range we are offering, we shall bring this new Airbus Military to the level which Airbus already enjoys today on the world scene."