Dassault buys larger stake in Thales from Alcatel-Lucent

Dassault Aviation announced last week that the company agreed to buy Alcatel-Lucent’s 20.78 percent stake in Thales for about €1.57 billion ($2.24 billion). Dassault, which had already owned 5.2 percent of Thales, joins the French government as a major shareholder in Thales, which manufactures the Joint Tactical Radio System approved JEMS handheld radio.

Dassault's stake in Thales remains below that of the French government's, at 27.1 percent. At the completion of the transaction, the French government and Dassault Aviation will together control 53 percent of the capital and 61 percent of the voting rights in Thales.

Alcatel-Lucent has accumulated losses of $6.73 billion since fiscal year 2006. For more, see the full story on Defence Pro.