Airbus, Leonardo and Thales unite to boost Europe’s space leadership

Airbus, Leonardo, and Thales have agreed to combine their space operations into a new European company aimed at strengthening the region’s position in the global space industry. The venture, expected to launch by 2027 pending regulatory approval, will employ about 25,000 people across Europe and is projected to generate around €6.5 billion in annual revenue, supported by an order backlog covering more than three years of sales.

Under the plan, each company will contribute its core space activities, creating a balanced ownership structure with Airbus holding 35%, and Leonardo and Thales each owning 32.5%. The new entity will operate under joint control with a shared governance model designed to ensure equal participation in strategic decisions.

The alliance seeks to enhance Europe’s autonomy in critical sectors such as telecommunications, navigation, Earth observation, exploration, and defense. By pooling resources, the companies aim to accelerate innovation, improve industrial efficiency, and strengthen Europe’s competitiveness on the global stage.

The partners expect to achieve significant operational synergies within five years of the venture’s creation. This collaboration marks a major milestone in the consolidation of Europe’s space industry, creating a unified powerhouse positioned to lead the next generation of space technologies.