The Ferengi of the defense industry.

Check this out from Shepard.

The company is offering its AS350 and AS355 Ecureuil family of aircraft for the programme and the company sees the deal as a highly important first step to breaking into the Russian military market.
The deal is, however, subject to the outcome of an evaluation of the aircraft. In recent weeks, Eurocopter has delivered five Ecureuils to an undisclosed Russian operator. These include three single-engined AS350 B3s and a pair of twin AS355NPs. The company will evaluate the aircraft before a decision to order is taken, which is expected by the end of the year.
'There are no small helicopters being produced by Russian companies with the exception of the piston-engined Mi-34, so there are a lot of missions being performed with big helicopters. They want a helicopter for training and possibly for light utility missions,' explained Olivier Michalon, Eurocopter sales and customer relations vice-president for Europe and central Asia.
'It is potentially a very important order – we believe the requirement could for as many as 200 helicopters.'

Read the whole thing but this is amazing.  They will sell to anyone at anytime for any reason.

I wonder if any thought is being given to possible contracts with the US military.  It can't be a feather in their hat to have the Russian military flying aircraft that they're trying to pitch to the US military.  Is this a short term move or part of a larger plan?

And considering the fact that I don't see Westland or Bell or Sikorsky running to Moscow to try and win this deal.  I think that says everything that needs to be said about the wisdom behind EADS' move and the business ethics displayed by that company.

EADS.  Modern day Ferengi.