The European Commission has approved Airbus DS and Safran’s plan to combine their launcher activities on the condition that the latter leaves out its electric satellite thrusters from the joint venture.
The EU’s antitrust regulator also required the…
The European Commission has approved Airbus DS and Safran’s plan to combine their launcher activities on the condition that the latter leaves out its electric satellite thrusters from the joint venture.
The EU’s antitrust regulator also required the two European aerospace and defence giants to guarantee the supply of certain components to third parties on transparent terms.
It said: “The Commission had concerns that the joint venture could have shut out Airbus’ competitors or limited their access to certain supplies, as well as transmitted strategic information to Airbus.
“The commitments offered by Airbus and Safran address these concerns.”
The regulator added that its decision did not take into account plans by the two companies to acquire control over Paris-based satellite launch operator Arianespace, which would be treated as a separate transaction.
Airbus DS and Safran announced they would combine their respective space launch and propulsion systems in a 50-50 JV in June. They aim to streamline processes and ultimately cut costs to remain competitive in a launch market that has been significantly disrupted by newcomer SpaceX.
The first phase of the plan will see them create a joint programme company to combine civil launch contracts and orders. The industrial launcher assets of their rocket propulsion systems would then be contributed over time to create the jointly-owned company.
Airbus DS is meanwhile looking to sell off its commercial satellite communications services unit along with a suite of other non-core assets. The move marks the latest step in a restructuring that began last year when parent company Airbus, then known as EADS, integrated its French satellite maker Astrium with its military units – transport aircraft specialist Airbus Military and defence firm Cassidian – creating Airbus DS.
In a conference call with investors on 6 November, the CEO of British MSS operator Inmarsat said he had not ruled out buying the commercial satcoms assets, although strategically it has no desire to be further downstream as a business.
“We look at almost anything that comes on the sale block around the world, although we are a very considered and careful buyer,” said Rupert Pearce.
