Paris, Jan 17, 2026, 22:00 CET — Market closed.
- Shares of Airbus (AIR.PA) ended Friday up 1.19%, closing at 217.40 euros.
- Airbus Helicopters secured a French Navy contract to supply six VSR700 drone systems, while Ghana made its inaugural order for Airbus helicopters.
- Traders head into Monday eyeing an update on the ATR 42-500 incident alongside Airbus’ full-year results set for Feb. 19.
Airbus (AIR.PA) shares closed Friday 1.19% higher at 217.40 euros, pushing their five-day climb to roughly 1% following new developments in helicopters and defence from the company. 1
European markets are closed for the weekend. Investors will next get a snapshot on Monday, as they weigh a French Navy drone contract alongside a helicopter deal in Ghana.
Both announcements come from Airbus’ helicopter division, not its main jet operations. Yet they’re significant now, offering clarity in defence and services just as investors focus intently on the commercial production timeline.
Airbus announced that France’s armaments agency, the DGA, has handed Airbus Helicopters and Naval Group a contract to build six VSR700 uncrewed aerial systems — drones set to be operational from 2028. Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even said the company is “fully committed to delivering this much-needed operational capability.” 2
The company announced the VSR700 will come in an intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) setup — a sensor suite designed to detect and monitor targets — with Naval Group responsible for integrating it onto French vessels.
Just a day prior, Airbus revealed that Ghana’s defence ministry placed an order for two H175Ms along with two corporate-configured helicopters, the ACH175 and ACH160. These aircraft are slated for roles like transport, search and rescue, emergency medical services, and disaster relief. Arnaud Montalvo, who heads Airbus Helicopters’ Africa and Middle East operations, described this as a “return” to Ghana, emphasizing a renewed focus on customer support and partnership. 3
Investors are watching weekend events closely after an ATR 42-500 surveillance plane disappeared in Indonesia on Saturday, carrying 11 people. ATR confirmed its experts are aiding local authorities as the investigation kicks off. 4
Behind the scenes, Airbus is still grappling with engine and parts supply for its A320neo family assembly lines. Outgoing commercial chief Christian Scherer flagged that Pratt & Whitney engines have been landing “very, very late,” a delay set to persist into 2026. 5
On Monday, all eyes will be on whether the defence wins can lure buyers back, or if focus shifts once again to the usual culprits — deliveries, guidance, and supply-chain constraints — that typically shape Airbus trading.
The risk lies in these new helicopter and drone orders lacking financial details and involving lengthy lead times. On top of that, any fresh hiccup in supply chains or a negative turn in accident investigations could quickly sour sentiment.
Airbus is set to release its full-year 2025 earnings and hold an analyst call on Feb. 19. Investors will be watching for 2026 guidance on deliveries, cash flow, and updates on engine availability. 6
