Julian Moxon/PARIS
The French Ministry of Defence has brokered a deal ending the dispute between the country's two major electronics and aerospace/defence groupings over their respective missiles and satellites businesses. Under the agreement, Aerospatiale's stake in Sextant Avionique will be sold to Thomson-CSF.
The two groups - Thomson-CSF/Alcatel/Dassault Industries and the former space division of Aerospatiale (now Alcatel Space) and the rival Aerospatiale/Matra Hautes Technologies, had fallen out over a legal clause prohibiting Aerospatiale from re-entering the satellites business once its space arm had been ceded to the Thomson-CSF grouping. Aerospatiale's subsequent merger with Matra put it squarely back in the space business, leading to a dispute that at one point threatened any further regrouping of the French aerospace industry.
Now, MoD procurement chief Jean-Yves Helmer has put together a compromise between the rivals that lets Aerospatiale become part of Matra, which is heavily involved in space through Matra-Marconi, while also securing a 10-year "exclusivity" deal on medium-range surface-to-air missiles.
The deal does not change significantly the competitive position of the two groups in satellites and missiles, leaving both free to pursue further alliances. According to an industry source, the two groups will "continue exploring ways of increasing their co-operation", although he added "it is clear that other options remain open".
On missiles, Aerospatiale and Thomson-CSF have confirmed their commitment to developing the future surface-to-air family (FSAF) of medium-range missiles. The two are equal partners with Italy's Alenia in the Eurosam consortium, charged with developing the Aster missile for the Horizon frigate and other platforms. The deal ensures the group remains intact, prohibiting either partner from going it alone for 10 years.
The agreement provides for Thomson-CSF to purchase the 50% of Sextant Avionique shares previously held by Aerospatiale, which caused surprise earlier this year when it exercised its option to increase its stake from 35%. The move means that Sextant is freer to pursue business with other manufacturers, since it is no longer directly associated with Aerospatiale and Eurocopter.Sextant will restructure its avionics activities at Toulouse, separating out those directly concerned with Airbus Industrie,
Source: Flight International