Airbus is in discussions with Thales Group and Leonardo to merge their satellite divisions, aiming to enhance their competitive edge against major players like SpaceX's Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper. Airbus CEO emphasized the need for 'scale and speed' to effectively compete in the evolving satellite market. The collaboration comes amid a growing urgency among European defense companies, including Leonardo, to secure new contracts and respond to perceived challenges in the space sector. The potential merger reflects a broader trend in Europe to strengthen its capabilities in the face of increasing competition from U.S. satellite ventures.