France's Dassault Aviation (EPA:AM) is currently in talks to buy Alcatel-Lucent's (NYSE:ALU) 20.8-per-cent stake in Thales Group (EPA:HO), which has operations in Ottawa under the company's Thales Systems Canada banner.
According to media reports from the deal would be US$1.89 billion, and would help Dassault – whose sales for its signature product, the Falcon business jet, have apparently struggled in the economic downturn – gain access to the lucrative defence spending market in both Europe and North America.
A joint statement released Tuesday morning revealed that the two firms had entered exclusive discussions until Dec. 15. The company's stake in Thales had been previously sniffed at by EADS (EPA:EAD), the Airbus parent which also has operations in Ottawa.
Thales Systems Canada also has offices in Kingston, Ont. and Quebec City.
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