OHB Plans to Oppose Airbus-Thales-Leonardo Merger
Marco Fuchs, CEO of OHB, the German aerospace and defense prime contractor, intends to engage in the antitrust review process concerning the proposed merger of Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo. He believes the merger will reduce competition in the European space sector.
“We will be vocal about our view that we think that this is limiting competition,” Fuchs said in an interview with Payload. “We are concerned, and we will participate in the antitrust process against it.”
Concerns Over Competitive Impact
Fuchs’ stance reflects broader worries within the industry. Some European venture capital investors recently shared with Payload that while the merger might not immediately affect new space startups—who typically do not directly compete with large primes—the combined entity could dominate major government contracts.
OHB’s Complex Position
- OHB frequently competes with Airbus, Thales, and Leonardo for significant contracts.
- Despite competition, OHB has subcontracted Thales Alenia Space (a joint venture between Thales and Leonardo) on key projects, including the LISA mission and upcoming Copernicus Earth observation spacecraft.
Fuchs fears the merger may negatively influence OHB’s supply chain due to increased concentration of key suppliers.
Author’s Summary
OHB’s CEO warns the Airbus-Thales-Leonardo merger could stifle competition and disrupt supply chains, impacting the future of the European space industry.