FINMECCANICA COMPLETES ACQUISITION OF DRS TECHNOLOGIES FOR $5.2BN

22 Oct 08. Finmeccanica, S.p.A. (Milan: FNC) (“Finmeccanica”), a world leader in the aerospace, defense and security industry, announced today to have successfully completed its acquisition of DRS Technologies, Inc. (“DRS”), a leading supplier of integrated defense electronics products, services and support. The acquisition received all the required regulatory approvals as well as the approval of DRS shareholders.

Finmeccanica purchased all outstanding shares of DRS for 81 U.S. dollars per share in cash. The enterprise value of the transaction is 5.2 billion U.S. dollars, including the assumption of approximately 1.6 billion U.S. dollars in outstanding indebtness (including the convertible notes). DRS will be known as DRS Technologies, a Finmeccanica Company.

“Today begins a new era for Finmeccanica”, said Pier Francesco Guarguaglini, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Finmeccanica. “The acquisition of DRS further solidifies our position as a top-tier international competitor and reinforces our commitment to the U.S. market, industrial base and, most importantly, the American armed forces, establishing a strong transatlantic Defence Electronics capability”.

“Finmeccanica’s investment in DRS will allow the company to increase new business opportunities globally, accelerate growth while strengthening our presence in the United States”, said Mark S. Newman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of DRS. “With an increased emphasis on research and development, DRS will continue to create new and innovative products that provide the American armed forces superior technology and value”.

DRS will operate as a U.S. subsidiary of Finmeccanica under agreements with the U.S. Department of Defense, including a plan to mitigate foreign ownership control and influence (FOCI).

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