EADS

EADS, the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, was a multinational aerospace and defence corporation formed in July 2000 through the merger of Aérospatiale-Matra (France), DASA (Germany) and CASA (Spain). The goal was to create a European group capable of competing globally in civil aviation, space and defence. The company was headquartered in Leiden, Netherlands, and operated through three main business lines: Airbus (civil aircraft), Astrium (space systems and satellites), and Cassidian (defence and security).

As one of the world's largest aerospace and defence groups, EADS played a key role in European aviation and space industries. Airbus, the group’s commercial aircraft arm, produced aircraft such as the A320 family and the A380, the latter of which had its first flight in 2005 and entered service in 2007, highlighting Europe’s integrated capabilities in large-scale aviation programs. Astrium provided space systems and services, while Cassidian focused on defence and security projects across land, air and cybersecurity domains.

In 2014, EADS rebranded as Airbus Group, and in 2015 the holding company adopted the name Airbus SE, aligning corporate branding with its flagship aviation activities. The rebranding reflected a shift toward a more centralized Airbus identity, while preserving the group’s European origins and diversified activities in aviation, defence and space. Since then, EADS has ceased to exist as a separate legal entity, with its legacy continuing under Airbus and related subsidiaries.