Located 60kms north of Athens in an area easily accessible by land, sea and air, the Hellenic Aerospace Industry S.A. (HAI) ranks among Europe's leading aviation support companies with a diversified scope of activities.

Since its inception in 1975, HAI has developed capabilities that allow it to offer efficient and high-quality services and products in the areas of:

aircraft, engines, accessories and avionics maintenance (repair, overhaul, modifications, modernisations, upgrades, life extensions and logistics support); development, design, manufacture and after-sales support of electronic, optoelectronic and telecommunications products; co-development and co-production of weapon systems; design and manufacture of aircraft and engine structural parts; technical training that covers the full range of aviation skills; and calibration of equipment.

International recognition is confirmed by HAI's long list of customers that include air forces, representatives of four continents and some of the world's major manufacturers in the aerospace field.

HAI's main asset is its highly experienced and qualified workforce. This crucial factor together with modern facilities, state-of-the-art equipment, effective production methods and a strict quality-control system applied throughout the process, ensures superior quality in every aspect of HAI's entire range of services and products.

HAI's quality system is designed in accordance with international standards AQAP-110, ISO 9001, JAR 21, JAR 145 and AS-9000. The company has been certified and approved by many major aerospace manufacturers and state organisations.

The company's grounds cover 1,800,000m2, of which 150,000m2 are occupied by indoor service areas. The company is structured into individual business units each housed in its own facility and dedicated to a specific part of the business. Its major customer is the Hellenic armed forces, to whom HAI provides full maintenance support. The company also has aircraft or engine maintenance agreements with several other air forces including France, Tunisia, Yemen, Morocco and the United Arab Emirates. Engine overhaul services are provided to NATO AWACS aircraft.

Airborne early-warning system

HAI is about to upgrade the Hellenic air force's Mirage 2000s to Mirage 2000-5 as well as contributing to certification and installation of the airborne early-warning system ERIEYE to the ERJ-145 aircraft, purchased recently by the Greek government.

In addition to products manufactured mainly on behalf of the Hellenic army, HAI electronics is involved in programmes of considerable importance to the enhancement of the company's overall knowledge in this field. Among these programmes is the upgrade of the Hellenic army's battle-zone communication system (HERMES II) and participation in the international consortium for the co-production of the weapon systems ESSM, Patriot and Stinger.

HAI's participation in another joint venture will give the company an opportunity to become involved in satellite systems and related telecommunication technology fields.

Aerostructures manufacturing is HAI's most market-orientated activity. Almost 90 per cent of its production is related to civil aviation. Products manufactured, some under sole-source agreements, include: Airbus 300/310 passenger door frames; Airbus 319/320/321 cargo door frames; Falcon 900Ex fuel tanks and emergency doors; EMRAER ERJ-145 doors; Boeing 157 centre wing boxes; F-16 air inlets; Mirage 2000 air brakes and landing gear doors; T-6A wing parts; Eurofighter-Typhoon external fuel tanks; CF6 and GE90 engine parts; M53 engine exhaust nozzle and others.

HAI has adapted to the requirements of the new national defence concept that involves the Greek defence industry participating in defence procurement endeavours as well as the integration of the European aerospace industry. One of the most important aspects of this adaptation is the re-engineering that allows each HAI business unit to operate in a free and flexible way. In addition, the introduction of modern methods such as lean production, sets the basis for HAI's future role in the European aerospace industry.

The five-year defence procurement programme of the Greek ministry of defence and HAI's established name in world markets, have created unique opportunities for HAI to expand its business and enhance its technological background.

In addition to the work HAI will acquire under the defence procurement programme, a number of co-operative and strategic alliance agreements have been signed between the company and some of the world's major aerospace manufacturers. These are expected to offer HAI a large amount of work, new technologies and new markets as well as an opportunity to upgrade its present manufacturing status to the level of systems design authority and systems integrator.

Already HAI is proceeding by investing in new capabilities including civil aviation support. An almost complete new engine test cell will increase the company's related capacity to 100,000lbs of thrust. And an extension to the existing engine depot is ready to accommodate maintenance works on civil engines. A framework agreement with Pratt & Whitney will lead to a joint venture in civil aviation engine support. HAI also intends to enter into a strategic alliance with another party to establish civil aircraft support at the new Athens international airport.

The construction of new facilities to accommodate co-production of Patriot missiles and the manufacture of F-16 large structural sub-assemblies, is scheduled to begin by the end of the year.

HAI is ready to meet the challenges of the modern world, whether these involve participation in co-production programmes such as the new European fighter aircraft or transport helicopters, the European advanced trainer aircraft, or other programmes of advanced electronic application, HAI is ready and qualified to become an equal member of the European aerospace family.

www.haicorp.com