Thales sonar for Type 26 frigates
Thales has received a contract from BAE Systems to equip the Royal Navy’s first three Type 26 frigates with its anti-submarine warfare sonar, the company announced on 12 July.
The company will supply its Sonar 2087 system - a towed array system that allows vessels to hunt submarines at considerable distances and detect them beyond the range from which they can launch an attack.
The Type 26 will be deployed for a range of missions by the Royal Navy, from anti-submarine warfare operations to humanitarian assistance.
Phil Jones, head of maritime missions systems, Thales, said: ‘We are pleased to be able to announce this contract with BAE Systems which re-affirms our market position as a world class provider of anti-submarine warfare sensors and systems.
‘It’s fantastic news to see our Sonar 2087 variable depth sonar deployed on the Type 26 platform based on the pedigree of the in-service equipment on the Type 23 and the latest inboard processing to provide an enduring capability for the Royal Navy.’
More from Digital Battlespace
-
![Artificial intelligence: the hope, the hype and the real-world reality]()
Artificial intelligence: the hope, the hype and the real-world reality
Artificial intelligence has supported C2 systems and decision-making for more than two decades. It has gradually built up a head of steam in the 2020s, but what is it achieving today and what role could it play in the future?
-
![SOF Week 2026: How SOF Teams Are Powering Radios, Drones and Battlefield Networks (video)]()
SOF Week 2026: How SOF Teams Are Powering Radios, Drones and Battlefield Networks (video)
At SOF Week 2026, Sean O’Neill, Senior Business Development Manager with Iris Technology, discusses the growing importance of tactical power management systems for modern military operations.
-
![SOF Week 2026: How SOF Operators Are Driving the Future of Battlefield Communications (video)]()
SOF Week 2026: How SOF Operators Are Driving the Future of Battlefield Communications (video)
At SOF Week 2026, Austin Farnham, President of Octane Wireless, discusses how direct feedback from special operations forces is helping shape the next generation of battlefield communications technology.
-
![World Defense Show 2026: Northrop Grumman to present improved C2 management system]()
World Defense Show 2026: Northrop Grumman to present improved C2 management system
The Northrop Grumman Integrated Battle Command System is in service with Poland and the US Army with another 20 countries believed to have expressed an interest.
-
![Thales looks to boost DigitalCrew system through AI and human-machine teaming trials]()
Thales looks to boost DigitalCrew system through AI and human-machine teaming trials
The Thales DigitalCrew package, first unveiled at last year’s Defence IQ International Armoured Vehicles conference, is designed to merge imaging and apply a layer of decision-making and observation algorithms to support crew and other personnel.
-
![Babcock nears first customer for Nomad AI translation tool]()
Babcock nears first customer for Nomad AI translation tool
Nomad can provide militaries with real-time intelligence, saving critical time on the battlefield.
