 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Alcatel Swaps Satellites For Big Slice Of Thales
Paris(AFP) Apr 06, 2006 French telecom equipment maker Alcatel is to swap its satellite division for 21.66 percent of defense electronics giant Thales, a joint statement said Wednesday without any reference to EADS in the new European space giant. The French government's stake in Thales would be reduced to 27.1 percent from 31.3 percent at present but the state would remain the principal shareholder. Alcatel currently has a 9.5 percent stake in Thales. Wednesday's announcement made no mention of EADS, the European Aeronautic Defence and Space company, which had also sought to join the space conglomerate. EADS had wanted to offer its satellite business Astrium to Thales in exchange for a stake of 15.0-20.0 percent. Thales, in taking over Alcatel's satellite operation, Alcatel Alenia Space, expects to increase its sales in 2006 by more than two billion euros (2.5 billion dollars) or by 20.0 percent from the figure in 2005, the statement said. French authorities have backed the Alcatel-Thales tie-up in light of commitments from Alcatel to "ensure respect for the state's strategic interests," Thales said. Alcatel will turn over to Thales its 67 percent holding in Alcatel Alenia Space subsidiary, with the remaining 33 percent controlled by Italy's Finmeccanica. The new satellite venture would create a European business able to compete with US groups Loral Space, Boeing and Lockheed Martin, which account for about 45.0 percent of the global market for commerical satellites, worth 10.0 billion dollars in 2004. The transaction now requires the backing of Alcatel's executive board as well as that of Finmeccanica. The alliance will also be submitted to Thales shareholders and personnel and to regulatory bodies. On the Paris stock exchange Wednesday Alcatel shares were showing a gain of 0.38 percent to 13.12 euros on a generally weaker market.
Source: Agence France-Presse
Community
EADS Space Services Acquires 49% Of The London Satellite Exchange
Paris, France (SPX) Apr 04, 2006EADS SPACE Services has purchased a 49% stake in London Satellite Exchange. The acquisition will strengthen EADS SPACE Services' one-stop-shop strategy of providing satellite capacity and services, including non-military capacity, to Government customers. |
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
