Airbus Group has entered into a share purchase agreement (SPA) with French private equity firm, Apax Partners to sell the company’s commercial satellite communication business.
The deal is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to close next month.
Discover B2B Marketing That Performs
Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.
The agreement is a part of Airbus Defence and Space strategy announced last year and the divestment does not include the company’s government satellite communication business.
In last September, Airbus Defence and Space unit of Airbus Group stated that after a thorough assessment, the company has decided to focus on military aircraft, space, missiles and related systems and services businesses in future.
Airbus Defence and Space CEO Bernhard Gerwert previously said: "Given the tight budgetary situation in our home countries and increasing competition on global markets, the portfolio review is an essential element to further develop our defence and space business and to ensure its competitiveness.
"We have identified those segments where this is an achievable target and those where we should explore alternative options. In short, the portfolio review is a logical next step in the overall transformation process.
US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?
Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.
By GlobalData"It will strengthen Airbus Defence and Space’s business core, unlocking its full potential to drive the defence and space industry forwards, particularly on critically important international growth markets."
In order to reorganise its future core businesses and achieve strategic goals, Airbus has decided to hand over its commercial satcom business to some other party.
Airbus’ maritime and land commercial satcom business has presence in 14 countries throughout Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Americas. It has a distribution network of around 400 re-sellers across the globe.
The business supports all kinds of maritime sectors in the world, as well as numerous users working in difficult environments such as mining, energy and humanitarian sectors.
Its government satcom business will continue to be a part of Airbus Defence and Space’s core activities.
The company has a long presence in the government market, with a portfolio of both military and commercial satellites as well as communication solutions and services.
