Caterham has confirmed that EADS, the aerospace and defence group, has joined it as an official partner, with its logos appearing on the cars of Heikki Kovalainen and Vitaly Petrov.

EADS - The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company N.V. - is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. The Group comprises commercial and military aircraft maker Airbus, the European leader in space programmes Astrium, defence and security systems provider Cassidian and helicopter maker Eurocopter. In 2011, EADS generated revenues of €49.1 billion and employed a workforce of over 133,000.

"I am absolutely delighted that EADS has joined our team and I want to welcome them into our F1 family as Official Partner," said Tony Fernandes. "EADS joins not only our F1 team but the whole Caterham Group as we evolve from an F1 team into the wider automotive and specialist consultancy service that the various arms of Caterham Group represent.

"The partnership with EADS and Caterham F1 Team is the first of a number of exciting announcements we will be making about projects that various arms of the Caterham Group are working with EADS on. Right now Caterham Composites and Caterham Technology and Innovation are involved in programs that utilise the specialist skills that both companies have in composite design and manufacturing, including a revolutionary lightweight aircraft seat and an in-flight entertainment system that will showcase the benefits composite materials provide on a global scale.

"This is a very exciting announcement and one that shows that world leading companies like EADS see the value that can be created from a partnership with Caterham Group and its various arms."

"We are proud to be associated with the Caterham F1 Team and hope this will enhance a very fruitful partnership between EADS and the wider Caterham Group," added Tom Enders, Chief Executive Officer of EADS. "With the range of skills and experience we now have at our disposal in both EADS and the various arms of Tony's automotive, technology and consultancy businesses, I am confident that there will be many more opportunities to be looked at over the coming months and years that will showcase the potential our two companies have."