EADS Chief Leaves Door Ajar for Another BAE Try

The chief executive of European Aeronautic Defense & Space Co. (EAD.FR) has left the door ajar for the revival of a blockbuster merger with BAE Systems PLC (BA.LN), the Times in London reported on its website Thursday.

Tom Enders, the German head of the Airbus manufacturer, said that a decision on EADS's ambitions to expand its defense interests--potentially in a tie-up with BAE--would be made after the completion of a strategic review of its military business and the shake-up of the group's board this spring, the Times said. Any new move, he indicated, wasn't imminent, the Times said.

The two companies abandoned a prior try at a merger.

Write to Dennis Baker at dennis.baker@dowjones.com