Biggest aerospace company in France, formed 1 January 1970 by merger of Nord-Aviation, Sud-Aviation and SEREB ballistic missile and space group. About 29,500 employees (1993), owned 93% by French government, with major plants at Toulouse, St Nazaire, Nantes, Marseilles-Marignane (Eurocopter-France). Socata wholly-owned subsidiary, partner in ATR (50%), Airbus (37.9%), Regioliner (25%) and Alliance SST; Euro-Hermespace on hold. Shareholdings in Helibras and aviation support firms in Morocco and Singapore. See also Sogepa.