Thales Alenia Space (TAS) has signed a definitive agreement to acquire RUAG’s opto-electronics business line. The transaction is subject to the usual closing conditions, and should be finalized by the end of the year.

Based in Zürich, RUAG’s opto-electronics and instruments product unit is specialized in scientific satellite instruments and in equipment for optical communications in space. The entity employs 75 people and recorded sales of 18 million Swiss francs in 2015 (€16.6m).

The acquisition expands TAS’s European footprint and enhances the solutions it offers in the science, earth observation and telecommunications markets.

The Thales/Leonardo-Finmeccanica joint venture says the move reflects its development strategy in Europe, “especially in countries that have shown an active and growing interest in the space sector, backed by investments.” It follows the company’s opening of a plant in Germany in 2011, an expanded presence in Belgium with a new facility in Leuven in 2014, and the creation of a subsidiary in the United Kingdom in 2014.