Airbus, Leonardo and Thales sign Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a leading European player in space by combining their respective activities in satellite & space systems manufacturing and services. This project aims to strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy in space, a major sector that underpins critical infrastructure and services related to telecommunications, global navigation, earth observation, science, exploration and national security. Learn more in the press release: https://lnkd.in/eFhqQRBy #Europe #Space Thales Leonardo Thales Alenia Space Leonardo Space Telespazio Airbus Defence and Space Airbus Geospatial and Secure Connectivity Solutions
While the intention to consolidate European space capabilities is understandable, I would caution that—given the current geopolitical chessboard—such a move risks being strategically counterproductive, particularly for Germany and the United Kingdom. Europe’s strength lies in its diversity of innovation, competition, and partnerships across national and industrial boundaries. Concentrating space activities under a single umbrella could inadvertently weaken these dynamics, constrain sovereign flexibility, and diminish the strategic optionality that smaller but highly capable European actors provide—especially in domains critical to defence, secure communications, and dual-use innovation. At a time when transatlantic and Indo-Pacific alignments are rapidly evolving, strategic autonomy must not become strategic isolation. Preserving pluralism within Europe’s space sector—while enhancing coordination and interoperability—would better serve long-term resilience and security interests.
Exciting to see Europe consolidating its space capabilities through such a powerful alliance. A bold move from Airbus, Leonardo and Thales that will strenghten Europe's strategic autonomy, reinforce its sovereignty and enhance the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base - paving the way towards a more integrated and resilient European defence and security.
A merge needed already when we launched Galileo Program, 20 years ago!
This is undoubtedly an important step for the future of European space. We can only hope that this huge company will also be innovative and swift, that it will not be detrimental to competition, and that locations and employees will benefit.
A real opportunity to come together to increase strengths, while optimising industrial capabilities. All three companies were already global players, but will become a force capable of delivering highly complex multi functional missions and deliver far more interoperable space systems to provide European protection in space.
An incredible achievement, well done! Now let's set it up and compete with US giants. We deserve a space leadership as we progressively set the commercial jets standard. 💪
An initiative that does make sense to me in terms of the consolidation of satellite manufacturing and in the scale of the combined services business. Having worked for and with these companies for many years though, it will be really challenging in terms of balancing sovereign capabilities and national high value employment in multiple countries while still delivering the level of synergies and innovation that will allow the new entity to be competitive in such a fast changing market.
An important and hitstorical milestone, creating a leading European player in #Space programs. Great achievement and exciting start 🚀 Congratulations Guillaume Faury Roberto Cingolani Patrice Caine, succeeding in merging expertises from Airbus Defence and Space x Leonardo Space x Thales Alenia Space. Let’s create and deliver greater Value to Customers, Users, stakeholders
Seen a lot of things in Airbus and before, have to say that although of course there will be natural worries and nervousness, for once, maybe, we can join and work together to create something truly remarkable. The future awaits, bring it on !!!!
System Engineering Business Product Leader @ Airbus | SysML, Rational DOORS
1moThey could just say, “we going to kick starlink out of Europe and our profit margin”, without so much fuss. I see it as a positive thogh.