Page "Thales Group" Paragraph 10

In April, 2006, Thales announced it would be acquiring Alcatel's space business ( 67 % of Alcatel Alenia Space and 33 % of Telespazio ), and Alcatel's Rail Signalling Solutions division in a deal which also raised Alcatel's ownership of Thales to 21. 66 percent.

The French government would also decrease its ownership in Thales to 27. 1 percent from 31. 3 percent as part of the acquisition.

According to an Alcatel Press Room Web page of April 5, 2006, the deal would also include the Systems Integration activities ( those not dedicated to telecoms operators, and covering mainly the transport and energy sectors ).

In December 2008, Alcatel agreed to sell a 20. 8 % stake in French engineering group Thales SA to Dassault Aviation SA for € 1. 57 billion ($ 2. 27 billion ).