Thales mulls alliance with BAE Systems, Snecma or Finmeccanica

0 Comments | AFP, November, 2004

FRANKFURT (AFP) — French defence electronics group Thales is considering a tie-up with British rival BAE Systems, French group Snecma or Italian firm Finmeccanica, without saying goodbye to a possible merger with EADS, the business daily Handelsblatt reports.

"We're open to a number of options and that includes EADS" (European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company), the newspaper quoted a company source as saying.

Speculation about a possible merger between Thales and EADS, which would create a European rival big enough to take on US aircraft manufacturing giant Boeing, has intensified in recent weeks.

The French government in particular, which holds 31.3 percent of Thales and 15 percent of EADS, is believed to be keen on such a move, even if French President...