Key facts
- A European satellite joint venture is proposed between Airbus SE, Leonardo SpA, and Thales SA.
- The venture will test the EU's revamped merger framework.
- The new framework aims to create globally competitive European champions.
A proposed joint venture for a European satellite initiative involving aerospace giants Airbus SE, Leonardo SpA, and Thales SA is poised to be an early test for the European Union's recently revised merger control regulations. This updated framework has been implemented with the specific objective of nurturing and supporting the development of 'European champions' that can compete effectively on a global scale. The success of this satellite venture's merger review could set a precedent for future large-scale European industrial collaborations.