Thales have entered into exclusive negotiation to acquire, for USD 1.1 Billion, Cobham Aerospace Communications (“AeroComms”), a leading supplier of advanced, ultra-reliable innovative safety cockpit communication systems.
With ~690 employees, of which ~190 engineers, the company operates across a well-invested footprint in France, South Africa, USA / Canada and Denmark.
Further, it is expected to generate ~US$200m revenues in 2023.
With this acquisition, Thales aims to pursue its strategy to strengthen its Avionics portfolio:
- Adding global leading position in safety cockpit communications, complementing Thales Avionics strong offering
- Incorporating recently developed cutting edge products benefiting from solid positions with major OEMs and strong aftermarket/retrofit opportunities
By integrating AeroComms’ unique leading safety cockpit communication systems portfolio, Thales will be ideally positioned to seize the opportunity of the shift towards connected cockpits.
By the end of the decade, Thales will hence be able to fully address the permanent and secured connectivity needs of the aeronautical market.
This enhanced offering will put Thales in a highly differentiated position to provide its customers with safer, affordable and sustainable solutions through:
- Real time and cyber-secured air-to-ground services
- Increased operations’ efficiency (enabling eco-friendly/green flight, full spectrum cockpit connectivity…)
- Better pilot assistance, paving the way to future autonomy solutions
- Reduced OEMs installation burden with integrated offers and reduced aircraft weight and drag (smart antenna)
Notably, the closing of the transaction is expected during the first half of 2024 upon customary merger control and regulatory approvals completions.
About Thales
Thales is a global leader in advanced technologies within three domains: Defence & Security, Aeronautics & Space, and Digital Identity & Security. It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive.
The Group invests close to €4 billion a year in Research & Development, particularly in key areas such as quantum technologies, Edge computing, 6G and cybersecurity.
Thales has 77,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2022, the Group generated sales of €17.6 billion.
About Cobham Aerospace Communications
Cobham Aerospace Communications is a leading supplier of airborne avionics systems in the fields of satellite communications, audio/radio management, antennas, lights, clocks, and man-machine interfaces.
It is an international company with headquarters in Rungis (Paris), France, and operate multiple sites in France, the United States, Canada, South Africa, and Denmark, with sales offices in Singapore, China and India.
Through its unique technologies, Cobham Aerospace Communications has established strong and long-standing partnerships with many of the world’s leading manufacturers of commercial and regional aircraft; business jets; general aviation aircraft; military trainer, transport, and fighter aircraft; helicopters; and UAVs.
