Europe’s leading aerospace companies — Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo — are moving closer to unveiling Projet Bromo, a landmark merger that will combine their satellite manufacturing divisions into a single European space champion designed to compete directly with Elon Musk’s Starlink and other global satellite networks.
🛰️ Building Europe’s Space Power
The three aerospace giants plan to combine satellite assets into a new holding company, each holding roughly one-third ownership after a series of balancing payments.
While the announcement — initially expected Wednesday — has been delayed by 24 to 48 hours as lawyers finalize the fine print, insiders confirm that the deal remains fully intact.
“The announcement is ready; that doesn’t mean you don’t have some last-minute details. It is industrially, technically, and financially complicated,” one insider shared.
🌍 A Unified Front Against Starlink
This consolidation marks Europe’s boldest attempt yet to unify its fragmented and underperforming satellite industry.
Airbus and the joint ventures controlled by Italy’s Leonardo and France’s Thales have long struggled to match the scale and agility of SpaceX, whose Starlink network dominates global low-orbit satellite communications.
The new alliance is intended to:
- Pool R&D and production capabilities to improve efficiency.
- Accelerate innovation in commercial and defense satellite applications.
- Reclaim Europe’s share in the fast-growing global satellite market.
⚖️ Governance Still Under Review
Corporate governance remains a key discussion point.
The firms are expected to announce only the structural and strategic framework of the merger for now, while the appointment of key executives — Chair, CEO, and CFO — will be decided after a period of standalone operations.
Disputes over leadership roles have historically complicated European aerospace integrations — including within Airbus itself.
However, sources emphasize a renewed commitment to collaboration, driven by mounting losses and declining market share.
⏳ Next Steps and Regulatory Timeline
The structure will take up to two years to finalize, pending EU and international regulatory approvals.
A prior attempt to merge was derailed by antitrust concerns, but this version of the deal has been carefully redesigned to avoid such pitfalls.
If successful, Projet Bromo could become a defining moment for Europe’s industrial autonomy — establishing a strong, consolidated player in global communications, defense, and satellite infrastructure.