The State acquires a strategic activity of the Atos IT group. This division, dedicated to supercomputers, plays a crucial role in national defense, particularly for nuclear deterrence.
The strategic acquisition of an Atos business
The State announced its entry into exclusive negotiations with the Atos group to acquire its “Advanced Computing” division. This branch, which brings together activities related to supercomputers (HPC – High Performance Computing), will be purchased for an enterprise value estimated between 500 and 625 million euros, depending on the terms of the agreement. These ultra-powerful computers are used for civilian applications, such as scientific research and weather forecasting, but also for essential military missions.
Atos HPCs, largely manufactured at the Angers factory, are used in particular by the Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) to carry out simulations linked to nuclear deterrence. This key role in national defense explains the State's interest in guaranteeing the sustainability of this sensitive activity. “ It is the role of the State to preserve and develop the strategic industries essential to our sovereignty », declared Antoine Armand, Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry.
The transaction concerns some 2,500 employees, mainly based in France. The division achieved a turnover of 570 million euros in 2023, demonstrating its economic and strategic weight.
This agreement comes after six months of laborious negotiations. Initially, the state planned to buy a broader division of Atos, including cybersecurity and critical systems used, among other things, in military aviation. However, these discussions failed, with Atos deeming the offers insufficient.
Technological sovereignty to be preserved
To secure Atos' sensitive assets, the State had already obtained specific action in Bull, a subsidiary containing these strategic activities. This right of veto made it possible to block any decision contrary to the interests of national defense. However, this measure was not enough to calm internal differences within the government on the advisability of a direct buyout.
Discussions are also continuing with manufacturers such as Dassault Aviation and Thales, who could play a role in future operations. However, their involvement remains uncertain, with some actors pointing to a lack of clarity in their intentions.
This acquisition illustrates the growing challenges linked to the preservation of sensitive technological activities in France. As international competition intensifies, particularly in the field of supercomputers, the State is making a strategic choice by consolidating its control over these crucial tools for defense and research.
On the other hand, the future of Atos' other critical activities, such as the Rafale's defense systems or cybersecurity solutions, remains unclear. A separate sale of these divisions could be considered to facilitate their takeover by industrial partners.
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