Sextant avionique is part of the Thales group (Thomson-CSF) from 1989 and the manufacturer of Thales probes. In fact, Thales is a relatively new entity (2000) regrouping similar sectors from ex-Thomson-CSF, Alcatel, Aerospatiale, Dassault, DCN,... It is also a partner with Raytheon (USA) in a joint venture and Thales (UK) is also regrouping many UK Defence firms. Then, it is not more a "French" group than EADS is, but Dassault is, (still I think), one of its main private shareholder.