The company will pool the complementary assets and technologies of the three groups, creating a unified and resilient European space player capable of competing internationally. It will employ around 25,000 people and have an estimated annual turnover of €6.5 billion based on 2024 figures, with an order backlog exceeding three years of projected sales.
Ownership of the new company will be shared among the parent firms, with Airbus holding 35% and Leonardo and Thales each holding 32.5%. The entity will operate under joint control with a balanced governance structure, combining the expertise of Airbus’s Space Systems and Space Digital businesses, Leonardo’s Space Division and Thales’s stakes in Thales Alenia Space, Telespazio and Thales SESO.
The project is expected to deliver significant synergies, with mid triple digit million euros of annual operating income gains projected within five years after closing. These efficiencies will stem from optimised R&D investment, production processes and operational integration across engineering, manufacturing and project management.
Guillaume Faury, Chief Executive Officer of Airbus, Roberto Cingolani, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager of Leonardo, and Patrice Caine, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Thales, said: “This proposed new company marks a pivotal milestone for Europe’s space industry. It embodies our shared vision to build a stronger and more competitive European presence in an increasingly dynamic global space market. By pooling our talent, resources, expertise and R&D capabilities, we aim to generate growth, accelerate innovation and deliver greater value to our customers and stakeholders. This partnership aligns with the ambitions of European governments to strengthen their industrial and technological assets, ensuring Europe’s autonomy across the strategic space domain and its many applications. It offers employees the opportunity to be at the heart of this ambitious initiative, while benefiting from enhanced career prospects and the collective strength of the three industry leaders.”
Employee representatives of all three companies will be informed and consulted according to applicable national laws and collective agreements. The completion of the transaction remains subject to customary regulatory approvals, with the new company expected to become operational in 2027.
