Dassault increases its stake in Thales with Alcatel-Lucent share acquisition

Dassault Aviation has completed the acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent's shares in Thales, it was announced on 20 May.

In a joint announcement, Alcatel-Lucent and Dassault Aviation confirmed that the transaction is based on a price of EUR38 (USD52) per share, representing a total value of approximately EUR1.57 billion. The transfer of the shares – amounting to 41,262,481 – and payment of the transaction took place on 19 May.

It emerged in December 2008 that Alcatel-Lucent had agreed to sell its 20.8 per cent holding to Dassault making the latter – which already has a 5 per cent stake in Thales (held by Groupe Industriel Marcel Dassault) – the second largest shareholder after the French state.

A Dassault spokesman told Jane's on 19 May that the company had no immediate plans to alter its current strategy as a result of its purchase. "It's a long-term investment that could open new avenues for Dassault, but we will generally remain in the background for now," he said.

According to industry reports, Dassault insisted upon the appointment of a new boss at Thales as one of the conditions of its purchase – leading to the appointment of Nexter chief Luc Vigneron on 19 May.