It is reported that Airbus, its parent company EADS and VSMPO-AVISMA Corporation have signed the biggest and longest term contract in the history of Airbus/EADS cooperation with Russian industry.

The agreement was signed by Mr Sergey Chemezov general director of Russian Technologies state corporation and Mr Tom Enders president & CEO of Airbus.

The agreement covers the supply of Titanium to Airbus and other EADS Divisions until 2020. The scope of the contract includes the supply of Titanium and covers die forging parts for all existing Airbus aircraft, including new programs such as the A350XWB. VSMPO-AVISMA Corporation may also machine Titanium products in order to develop a vertically integrated Titanium supply chain, starting from raw materials to finished products.

The contract comes as a confirmation of the framework agreement signed in July 2008 at Farnborough Airshow. The new agreement further boosts the relationship between the companies, which dates back to the early 1990s. It also enlarges Airbus' cooperation with the Russian aviation industry, which currently includes production of components for Airbus at Russian plants, passenger to freighter aircraft conversions and joint Research & Technology projects.

Mr Tom Enders president & CEO of Airbus said that "Airbus is preparing for long term growth. This agreement is an important pillar of our internationalization and especially our strategic relationship with Russian industry."

Mr Sergey Chemezov general director of Russian technologies said that "The signed agreement demonstrates that Russia can offer high technology products to the world market and is one of the leading players in such an important sector as the aerospace industry."