Airbus, Thales, Leonardo Merge Talks for 'European Space Champion'
Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo are in talks to merge their space operations, aiming to create a 'European champion' to rival American competitors. Negotiations are ongoing, with a framework agreement expected soon despite recent delays.
The companies, including Airbus, Thales Alenia Space, and Leonardo, are conducting due diligence reviews and preparing for antitrust assessments in Europe. The process is expected to take up to two years due to regulatory scrutiny.
Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus, remains committed to the combination. Roberto Cingolani, CEO of Leonardo, had anticipated a 'go/no-go' decision by the end of July, but no public announcement has been made yet. Last-minute requests from Thales and Leonardo have caused a delay in the expected framework agreement.
The planned joint venture between Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo is progressing, with a focus on creating a strong European player in the space industry. While negotiations continue and regulatory reviews are underway, the companies remain committed to the project.
