Indra is evaluating raising 800 million euros ($888.80 million) from the disposal of its technology unit Minsait's assets to finance the operation, Cinco Dias added.

Indra did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

News website El Confidencial reported earlier this month private equity funds Bain Capital and Cinven were interested in buying Minsait, which could fetch as much as 1.8 billion euros.

Indra, which aims to become a driving force of the Spanish defence industry and gain weight in the European military sector, is expected to present its new strategic plan in the first quarter of next year.

Spanish state holding company SEPI is Indra's largest shareholder with a 25.16% stake.

($1 = 0.9001 euros)

(Reporting by Matteo Allievi, editing by Inti Landauro and Tomasz Janowski)