PARIS (Reuters) -Talks between Airbus, Thales and Leonardo to create a major new European satellite manufacturer have hit a roadblock after existing partners Thales and Leonardo asked for more time, French daily La Tribune reported.

Airbus and the other two companies, which own Airbus' main competitor in satellite production, Thales Alenia Space, have been in talks for months to create a new European venture to compete more effectively with Elon Musk's SpaceX.

La Tribune reported that talks accelerated last week but hit a last-minute hurdle over the relative workshare to be granted to the three companies.

A spokesperson for Airbus said: "Talks with our partners continue and are confidential in nature; it is too early to comment further."

Thales and Leonardo did not immediately reply to requests for comment.