I'm starting.
Good day. It is a privilege and an honour to be here and to address this important committee. Mr. Chairman, thank you very much.
My name is Antonio Rodriguez-Barberán. I'm sorry I have a terrible, long Spanish name. Not only that, but I have a terrible Spanish accent. You should listen to my accent in French. So if you don't mind, I will continue talking in English. I am vice-president of sales for EADS CASA, based in Madrid, Spain.
As you know, EADS is one of the world's largest defence aerospace companies. Included in the EADS family, we have companies such as Airbus and Eurocopter. As a group, EADS has many solid long-term business relationships with Canadian industry, purchasing high-tech goods worth about $700 million Canadian per year.
My responsibilities can be translated in short as being responsible for the Spanish part of the business of the EADS group, but basically they encompass sales within our military transport aircraft division, including sales of the C-295 plane, which we are offering for the fixed wing search and rescue replacement program, and which is why I am here today.
But I am not alone. I have the pleasure of having next to me Mr. Richard Bertrand from Pratt & Whitney Canada, representing his company, but not only his company; he is also representing all of our Canadian team, consisting of CAE, Thales Canada, and Raytheon Canada. They are all part of our team and strategic partners in our worldwide marketing strategy.
Designed as a result of global military customer requirements, the C-295 is a multipurpose aircraft that is developed for tactical lift, search and rescue, maritime patrol, and surveillance. Today it is in operation in all and any geographic and environmental conditions, in war zones such as Afghanistan and Iraq and in peace missions worldwide. As a consequence of this, the C-295 is operational, it's proven, and it is cost-efficient.
The aircraft's combination of operational performance and efficiency has made it the world leader among medium military transport aircraft. Overall, we hold around two-thirds of the world market, which means that our Canadian strategic partners are also holding two-thirds of the world market and have access to this market.
The C-295 family of products has sold over 300 units in 30 nations, including units for the United States Coast Guard for search and rescue. In particular, the C-295 has been delivered to and is operational with countries such as Spain, Portugal, Brazil, Finland, Poland, Algeria, and Jordan. It is operational in war zones such as Afghanistan and Iraq today.
In my experience I have also found that most militaries and governments prefer cost-effective solutions when it comes to large-scale procurements. This applies to the actual acquisition and the in-service support, which is where the real costs are found.
The C-295 has put special emphasis on providing the best availability and reliability rates at extremely competitive operational and acquisition costs. In the design and the manufacture of the C-295, we are proud to be partnered with Canadian companies such as Pratt & Whitney Canada, CAE, Thales Canada, and Raytheon Canada. Each one of the C-295s sold worldwide creates value and jobs in Canada. The C-295 team looks forward to showcasing the aircraft to Canada in a best-value competition for fixed wing search and rescue. It is the ideal combination between operational capabilities and efficiency, both largely due to its world-class Canadian content.
I would like to pass the microphone to you, Richard, to continue with your presentation.