French Space Agency and Ministry Eye CLS Sale
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French Space Agency and Ministry Eye CLS Sale
- CLS, established in 1986, is an international company specializing in Earth observation and surveillance solutions, with a reported revenue of €193 million in 2024.
- The company, a subsidiary of the French Space Agency (CNES) and CNP, was founded to operate the Argos data collection and location system.
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The potential sale of Collecte Localisation Satellite (CLS), an international technology company, is reportedly under scrutiny by the French Space Agency (CNES) and the French Ministry of Economy and Finance (Bercy). CLS was founded in 1986 by CNES and IFREMER (French Research Institute for Exploration of the Sea) to operate the Argos data collection and location system.
CLS specializes in providing satellite-based solutions for Earth observation and surveillance, including environmental monitoring, maritime security, and sustainable fisheries management. The company has a global presence with over 1,200 employees across 40 sites worldwide.
In 2019, an exclusivity agreement was signed with Compagnie Nationale à Portefeuille (CNP), an investment company, for the sale of a majority stake in CLS. This transaction involved Ardian and IFREMER selling their interests, with CNES retaining a significant minority stake to partner with CNP for CLS’s future growth. The completion of this transaction was subject to various conditions, including approvals from the Boards of Directors of CNES and IFREMER, consultation with employee representatives, and necessary regulatory authorizations, with an aim to complete