When Bombardier Sold Missiles...Just to clear up some of the details mentioned in an earlier post on Bombardier's experiences with defense in the UK this description from Wiki's outline on Shorts should help:
"Bombardier purchase
...The government announced the sale of Shorts toBombardier on 7 June 1989 for £30 million. As part of the sale the government also agreed to write off £390 million of the company's "accumulated losses and inject another £390 million to recapitalise the group and cover current and future losses, capital investment and training."[28]Bombardier beat a bid from The General Electric Company plc and Fokker whilst Messerschmitt-Boelkow-Blohm withdrew before final offers were submitted.[29] The sale was finalised on 4 October 1989.[30]
In 1993, Bombardier Shorts and Thomson-CSF formed a joint venture, Shorts Missile Systems, for the design and development of very short-range, air defence missiles for the UK Ministry of Defence and armed forces worldwide using expertise dating back to the 1950s. In 2000, Thomson-CSF bought Bombardier's 50% share to become the sole owner. Shorts Missile Systems was renamed Thales Air Defence Limited in 2001."