Cassidian in the context of "Airbus Military"

Airbus Defence and Space is the defence and space systems subsidiary of Airbus. Formed in 2014 during the restructuring of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company, the predecessor of Airbus. The subsidiary consists of the company's the former Airbus Military, Astrium, and Cassidian [de] divisions. Contributing 21% of Airbus revenues in 2016, it is the second largest space company in the world.

Plans have been announced to merge the Space Systems and Space Digital divisions of Airbus Defence and Space, Telespazio, and Thales Alenia Space into a new joint venture owned by Airbus (35%), Leonardo (32.5%), and Thales (32.5%). The combined entity would have had an estimated annual turnover of €6.5 billion. If approved by regulators, the new company is expected to be operational in 2027.

Astrium was a European aerospace company and subsidiary of the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS), headquartered in Paris. It designed, developed and manufactured civil and military space systems and provided related services from 2006 to 2013. In 2012, Astrium had a turnover of €5.8 billion and 18,000 employees in France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Spain and the Netherlands. Astrium was a member of Institute of Space, its Applications and Technologies.

In late 2013 Astrium was merged with Cassidian, the defence division of EADS, as well as Airbus Military to form Airbus Defence and Space. EADS itself was rebranded Airbus Group, with three divisions: Airbus Commercial Aircraft, Airbus Defence and Space, and Airbus Helicopters.