Paris — European missile maker MBDA’s CEO is returning to Airbus as head of strategy as the plane maker seeks to modernise its factory system and explores future options in defence, two people familiar with the matter said. Antoine Bouvier replaces Patrick de Castelbajac who becomes head of Airbus Asia-Pacific, the sources said. Castelbajac’s responsibility for Airbus international operations had already been transferred to sales chief Christian Scherer. At Airbus, Bouvier will be embarking on a battle of wits with a new strategy head at arch-rival Boeing. Chris Raymond, until recently head of Boeing’s Autonomous Systems business, recently became vice-president for enterprise strategy under finance director Greg Smith, sources said. Raymond’s appointment has not been officially announced. Airbus and MBDA declined to comment on Bouvier’s appointment, which was first reported by AeroDefenseNews. It is the latest step in a management reshuffle accelerated by the recent official appoint...

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