Airbus SE (ENXTPA:AIR) is eyeing the cybersecurity branch of Atos SE (ENXTPA:ATO). But the difficulties of the IT division are hampering its ambitions. The ball of suitors for Atos continues to expand.

After the failed offensive of Thales, it is Airbus which is interested in the computer group. According to several sources, the group "studied the file" in recent weeks because its management has "digital ambitions" adds one of them. Contacted, the group did not wish to comment on our information.

Airbus is obviously eyeing the nugget of Atos, its cybersecurity branch, the former Bull and its supercomputer. It wishes to develop in these trades which it already operates in its "Defence and Space" division. Atos has already been its partner for several years.

However, the situation of Atos is complicated while the large part of its activity is still linked to the management of services and computer equipment which are in sharp decline. The group has been accumulating difficulties for more than a year. He has chained two alerts on his results since last summer.

Its margins have been halved, its turnover is falling and its share price has fallen by 60% in one year. As a result, Airbus did not follow up at this stage. “Guillaume Faury judges that this file is too complicated compared to the challenges of Airbus” summarizes a source, in particular the resumption of post-covid air transport.

"It's a good idea that Airbus is interested in us," says a close friend of Atos who seems to prefer the aircraft manufacturer to Thales, whose offensive was badly experienced last month. Airbus remains however attentive to the evolution of Atos.