Airbus Defence and Space has sold its US government satellite communications unit ASGI to aviation-focused Satcom Direct Communications for an undisclosed sum. The deal includes ASGI’s operations as well as two satellite Earth stations on the East and…
Airbus Defence and Space has sold its US government satellite communications unit ASGI to aviation-focused Satcom Direct Communications for an undisclosed sum.
The deal includes ASGI’s operations as well as two satellite Earth stations on the East and West coasts for the US, where SDC already provides government and military satcoms services for airborne platforms.
SDC president David Greenhill said: “Combining the two organisations provides distinct synergies, allowing for a greater support infrastructure as well as enhanced capabilities, technology and expertise to our respective US government customers.”
“The acquisition will also provide an increased ability to competitively offer fixed and mobile satellite services in Ku, Ka, L, C, and X bands in multiple markets, especially aviation.”
The group’s Satcom Direct division, which is also headquartered in the US, offers business and general aviation customers satellite voice and broadband solutions for flight deck and cabin communications. It has capacity agreements with satellite operators Inmarsat, Iridium and ViaSat.
The ASGI acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and expects to close within the next few months.
Airbus Defence and Space’s France-headquartered parent Airbus has been selling noncore assets as part of a group-wide restructuring strategy that kicked off last year.
The group put its commercial satcoms services unit up for sale in September, and SatelliteFinance understands that Apax Partners recently beat off other private equity firms as well as strategic players in bidding for the business.
Those assets are primarily derived from a satcoms services provider called Vizada, which Apax sold to Airbus when it was called EADS back in 2011 for US$960m.
Airbus Defence and Space continues to offer a range of solutions to meet government and commercial needs in the US and elsewhere, including telecoms satellites, launchers and space-based security systems.
