MDA and DigitalGlobe refile CFIUS notice

Canadian communications and information company MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates -- or MDA -- and planned acquisition DigitalGlobe said today they have withdrawn and refiled their joint notice to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.

The move, the two companies said, is meant "to provide additional time for CFIUS to complete its consideration of the proposed merger."

MDA announced in February it would acquire Earth imagery company DigitalGlobe in a $3.6 billion deal. The transaction valued the Westminster, CO-based DigitalGlobe at $2.4 billion and included assumption of DigitalGlobe's $1.2 billion in debt.

The deal is expected to create a company with about 4,600 employees in the United States and more than 1,800 in Canada.

According to today's announcement, CFIUS will begin a new 30-day review period once it accepts the filing.

"MDA and DigitalGlobe believe that CFIUS will conclude its consideration of the transaction with no unresolved issues of national security," the companies said.

The meeting of shareholders to approve the deal is slated for July 27.

"The companies now expect to close the merger during the current calendar quarter or shortly thereafter, subject to the aforementioned regulatory approval and customary closing conditions," they said.