Hellenic Aerospace Industry

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The Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI or EAB from its Greek initials 'Elliniki Aeroporiki Biomihania') is the most important Greek aerospace company. It was founded by the Greek state in 1975 to undertake all aircraft-related construction activity, so that the historic KEA factory would concentrate on maintenance work. A huge factory was built in Tanagra, 65 km north of Athens eventually employing thousands. Although the company has undertaken over the years a great deal of subcontracting work with major International Aerospace companies (including Boeing, Airbus, Alenia, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, EADS and many others) and has accomplished a lot of original developments in military electronics, telecommunications equipment, night vision equipment, wind generators and composite material technology, its financial status has been shaky for years. Its original designs include a number of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (most utilized of which being the Pegasus model, first flown in 1982 and currently in service with the Greek Air Force). In 1990 it developed in collaboration with (then) DASA of Germany, Alenia of Italy and Per Udsen of Denmark the Advanced Amphibious Aircraft (AAA) which, however, was not produced. Other developments that were not completed mostly for financial reasons, include a trainer for the Greek Air Force of own design and many joint projects. In January 2006 HAI joined Aermacchi of Italy in the M346 advanced trainer project.