Carlyle, KKR through to final round in race for Airbus’s electronics unit – report

December 17 (SeeNews) – The Carlyle Group (NASDAQ:CG) and KKR (NYSE:KKR) are the shortlisted candidates to buy the defence electronics business of European aircraft maker Airbus Group (EPA:AIR), Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

Both investment firms have significantly outbid rival suitors, the sources were cited as saying. According to one of them, KKR’s and Carlyle's offers exceeded those of other bidders by more than EUR 100 million (USD 109.5m).

German groups Rheinmetall and OHB, the latter bidding in concert with UK buyout firm Cinven, have dropped from the list.

Carlyle and KKR declined to comment when contacted by Reuters, while Airbus was not available for comment.

Airbus has not made a final decision yet, the report said.

Airbus is reportedly expecting to raise up to EUR 1 billion from the sale of its electronics business as the company plans to focus on aeronautics and space.

(EUR 1 = USD 1.095)

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