CNES and Belgian investment company CNP have received a binding offer from MDA Space to buy their subsidiary, CLS, and continue pursuing its global growth ambitions.
One of the world’s formidable space-technology groups, MDA Space, has made an offer to the Centre National d'Études Spatiales (CNES) and CNP to acquire a 70 percent interest in its subsidiary, CLS (Collecte Localisation Satellites) Group.
When the acquisition is completed, CLS will gain exclusive access to some of the most advanced Earth observation capabilities globally, enabling it to deliver a unique, integrated offering that covers everything from satellite design and operations to the transformation of space data into high-value-added solutions. “By joining MDA Space, we would become part of a world-class space technology group while preserving what makes us unique: our mission, our culture and our international footprint,” says CLS president Stéphanie Limouzin.
CNES will retain an approximately 30 percent stake and continue working with MDA Space to help realise CLS’s next chapter of growth. “Since its creation by CNES nearly forty years ago [in 1986], CLS has become a global benchmark in space applications serving the planet,” adds deputy CEO and general secretary, Marie-Astrid Revon Berenguer, in a statement from CNES. “By remaining a shareholder of the Company, CNES reaffirms its confidence in CLS’s strategy, its teams and its development potential.”
Reference shareholder, CNP, will sell its entire shareholding in the company. Since acquiring its stake in 2020, CNP (exclusively controlled by the Frère family) has helped CLS more than double its size, with an expected revenue of around €286 million for 2026.
Achieving scale via CNP-backing and bolt-on acquisitions
“We have supported an impressive growth trajectory driven by innovation, organic growth, acquisitions, international expansion and the development of new areas of expertise,” shares CNP CEO Xavier le Clef (pictured), starting with Meteodyn (specialised in wind engineering, meteorology and climatology solutions) in October 2021.
“We are proud to have found in Meteodyn, new partners to go further and provide our customers with ever more efficient and comprehensive renewable energy solutions,” Christophe Vassal, a partner at CLS at the time, commented.
“The complementary nature of our companies on land and at sea makes us a unique company with multiple synergies,” added Meteodyn president Didier Delaunay at the time.
In September 2023, CLS acquired SAT ONE (specialised in merchant fleet tracking) to strengthen its offshore activities. “This acquisition strengthens CLS’ presence in Brazil, a strategic market for the company,” explained Sophie Besnard, director of international development for the CLS Group. The group achieved a turnover of €180 million at the end of the 2023 financial year.
CLS also entered the Middle East market in October 2024 following the acquisition of Enviro & Industrial Solutions Middle East (EIS-ME), an expert in pollutant measurement and environmental technologies. “Thanks to the group’s geographical presence, EIS-ME’s activities are set to flourish, now supported by an export network spanning almost every continent. This integration marks an important milestone for both teams and reaffirms our shared commitment to creating a sustainable future,” explained Cristophe, who was serving as president of CLS at that point.
In December that same year, CLS bought Quiet-Oceans – a French company studying the impact of noise on marine life. “By joining forces with Quiet-Oceans, we are enhancing our ability to reduce the acoustic impact of human activities at sea, a key challenge for species preservation,” shared Christophe.
“The synergies between our two companies are promising and will enable us to significantly contribute to preserving marine ecosystems with an ambitious and virtuous approach,” added Quiet-Oceans founder Thomas Folegot.
2025 saw the acquisition of Ground Control, introducing new specialised satellite IoT devices and expanding CLS’s portfolio of web-based platforms with Cloudloop, an enhanced device and data management platform. While the two companies sometimes operate in the same sectors, they address different complementary customer bases and offer distinct yet interoperable technologies.
The CNP-supported acquisitions concluded with NGIS – an Australian specialist in geospatial solutions for sustainable resource management, territorial resilience and supply chain transparency – in February 2026.
“I would like to recognise the commitment of CLS’s teams, as well as the continued support of CNES, both of which have played a significant role in this collective success,” Xavier notes. “We have the conviction that MDA Space would enable the group to further pursue its global ambitions and unlock its full potential.”
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