Luxembourg Signs Long-Term Cooperation Framework with Airbus

Luxembourg and Airbus have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the long-term strengthening of industrial collaboration and the development of research partnerships between Airbus and its various entities, and private and public partners based in Luxembourg in the fields of cybersecurity, space technologies, unmanned aerial systems and rotary wing aircraft.

In the area of ​​cyber security, including threat intelligence and training, Airbus is becoming an official partner of the Cybersecurity Competence Center (C3) based in Luxembourg. Addressing all public and private sector players, and even start-ups, the National Cybersecurity Competence Center brings together under one roof a threats and vulnerabilities observatory, a training centre and its simulation platform, as well as a laboratory to test the digital security of new products and digital solutions. In the area of ​​digital identity protection and electronic data, Airbus is interested in a long-term partnership with LuxTrust, a public-private certification authority and a trusted service provider that issues and manages digital identities with a high level of security and compliance.

In the rotary wing sector, Airbus will become the preferred partner for a number of Luxembourg-based companies, paving the way for a new, expanded cooperation that also includes research and development activities. In the space sector, Airbus and Luxembourg will define areas of cooperation for the space economy.

The signing ceremony to officially launch the cooperation took place during the state visit of Their Royal Highnesses the Grand Duke and the Grand Duchess of Luxembourg to France and more particularly their visit to the premises of Airbus in Toulouse 21 March 2018. "The collaboration with Airbus is in line with the Luxembourg Defence Guidelines for 2025 and beyond, which set the framework for the development of defence," said Étienne Schneider, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Economy and Minister of Defence, at the signing ceremony. "The agreement with Airbus is part of the strategy for industry, innovation and research that we are putting in place to further involve the Luxembourg economy in strengthening defence capabilities to meet development priorities of NATO and the EU in this area."

Patrick de Castelbajac, Head of Strategy and International at Airbus, said: "We are strengthening our cooperation with one of our oldest European partners and a member of NATO. We are confident that this agreement with Luxembourg will benefit all parties in various areas such as defence, cybersecurity and helicopters. Airbus is delighted to deepen its longstanding industrial collaboration with Luxembourg."

The agreement also provides for the provision by Airbus of training sessions for Luxembourg companies that are likely to become potential suppliers of Airbus. A delegation of senior representatives of major Luxembourg suppliers took part in a specific training session held on 21 March 2018 at Airbus' Toulouse office.​