By Noémie Bisserbe 
 

PARIS-French aerospace and defense company Thales SA (HO.FR) said on Tuesday its board of directors had appointed former Electricité de France SA (EDF.FR) chief executive Henri Proglio as its new chairman.

In an act of musical chairs, Mr. Proglio will replace Jean-Bernard Lévy, who was named last month chief executive and chairman of the state-controlled energy utility Electricité de France.

The board also appointed Patrice Caine, Thales's chief operating officer, as the company's new chief executive.

"Both appointments are subject to confirmation by the next annual general meeting, which will also be tasked with approving the necessary changes to the company's articles of incorporation," said the company in a statement.

-Write to Noémie Bisserbe at Noémie Bisserbe@wsj.com

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