The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) is a global aerospace and defence group and leading defence and military contractor worldwide. The group includes Airbus as the leading commercial aircraft-maker, with Airbus Military covering tanker, transport and mission aircraft, Eurocopter as the world's largest helicopter supplier and a space programme. EADS was formed through the July 2000 merger of Aérospatiale-Matra, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (DASA), and Construcciones Aeronáuticas (CASA).