REPORT French and Italian newspapers are insisting in announcing that a restructuring plan for the French arms group Thales, including a 25-30% stake holding by Finmeccanica, was presented to French Finance Minister, Thierry Breton. According to the rumours, the existing shareholders of Thales, Alcatel and the French government, would join together to form a common shareholding bloc, while another bloc should be represented by Finmeccanica participation. In the new group, Alcatel would have 25% of the stock and would put its space assets, with Finmeccanica participation ranging between 25% and 30% and would put its defence electronics activities. Alcatel and Finmeccanica already are merging their space activities by means of two joint venture companies. In the meantime, Finmeccanica is to reshuffle again its top management following the resignation of three members of its board.
Source: Flight International
