- Manufacturer Airbus is exploring the sale of its US subsidiary, Airbus OneWeb Satellites (AOS), based in Florida.
- This decision aims to focus efforts on a historic European alliance project with Thales and Leonardo to counter SpaceX.
- Airbus’s space division has incurred significant losses, recording €1.3 billion in financial charges during 2024.
- The European merger project, initiated in October 2025, targets an operational launch for 2027.
Strategic Refocus Across the Atlantic
European aerospace and defence giant Airbus is actively exploring the possibility of divesting its industrial assets located in the United States. This move is part of a desire to streamline its operations after several challenging periods for its space division. The company is reportedly sounding out the market to sell its US subsidiary, Airbus OneWeb Satellites, which notably owns an assembly plant in Florida and the ‘Arrow’ range of small satellites. These telecommunications assets cater to civil, commercial, and national security clients.
The Outcome of the Florida Industrial Venture
Airbus’s presence on US soil reached a major milestone in January 2024, when the group became the sole owner of this joint venture after acquiring Eutelsat-OneWeb’s shares. Founded in 2016, the structure has produced over 600 satellites for the first-generation OneWeb constellation. The turnover of this American branch is currently estimated at several hundred million dollars. Despite these proven industrial capabilities, the overall difficulties in the space telecommunications sector are prompting the group to review its geographical priorities.
Facing Significant Financial Difficulties
This reorganisation comes as Airbus has had to contend with severe financial turbulence within its traditional space activities. In 2024, the European group recorded a massive financial charge of €1.3 billion on its space programmes, with €300 million for the fourth quarter alone. These persistent difficulties have accelerated the need for a deep restructuring and a consolidation of forces at a European level.
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A European Alliance to Challenge the Competition
The planned withdrawal from US operations should allow Airbus to mobilise its resources around a major merger project with Thales and Leonardo. The three industrial players signed a memorandum of understanding in October 2025 to create a European champion capable of competing with US giant SpaceX and Chinese state actors. The future joint entity is now awaiting approval from the European Commission for a launch scheduled in 2027, which would mark a turning point for the continent’s space sovereignty.
