The
discussions with Thales were part of "preliminary,
non-binding and non-exclusive" talks, which included
other companies in France and Europe, aimed at industry
consolidation, Burtin told analysts and journalists as he
unveiled Nexter's 2010 results.
State-owned Nexter pursued a "strategy of sector"
in its talks, Burtin said. In the land sector, Thales has
the TDA munitions and mortar business, and its Australian
unit builds the Bushmaster armored vehicle, he said.
The discussions over a potential partnership were also at
the program level, namely the Véhicule Blindé
Multi-Role multirole troop carrier, which Nexter hopes to
win in an international tender expected to be launched toward
the end of this year, Burtin said.
Thales Executive Chairman Luc Vigneron said Feb. 14 the
electronics company "could not remain indifferent to
changes in the land defense sector."
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