Airbus and Thales are reportedly exploring a potential merger of their space operations, according to French business publication La Tribune. The publication, citing anonymous sources, stated that the two companies have initiated discreet, exploratory talks. Neither Airbus nor Thales responded promptly to a request for comment from Reuters outside of normal business hours.
Airbus Defence & Space, a subsidiary of the European aerospace giant based in Germany, boasts a workforce of over 100,000 and ranks among the top suppliers in the global space industry. Thales' subsidiary, Alenia Space, in which Italian defense contractor Leonardo has a minority share, specializes in advanced solutions for telecommunications, navigation, and surveillance, primarily through satellite technology.
