Denis Ranque, chairman and chief executive of Thales, is expecting to meet EADS this year to discuss a possible link-up with the aerospace group.

Speaking at his traditional new year trading update, Mr Ranque said that he and No?l Forgeard, co-chief executive designate of EADS, would almost certainly meet this year. Any outcome however, he said, "would depend on the conditions and, for us, on the alternatives we have".