Airbus is gauging interest for the sale of its U.S. space and satellite manufacturing operations. The potential divestment includes a Florida production facility and the Arrow line of small satellites.
The company is centralizing satellite production in Europe to create a pan-European defense champion. Airbus recently moved manufacturing for the next generation of OneWeb satellites from the U.S. to Toulouse, France.
Airbus plans to combine space activities with Italy’s Leonardo and France’s Thales. The new joint venture expects to be operational by 2027 to challenge U.S. and Chinese rivals.