• Digital Battlespace

  Thales to upgrade NATO protected SATCOM capability

  25th January 2013

  Thales will upgrade the protected SATCOM capability of NATO under a new contract announced on 25 January. The award, issued by the NATO Communications and …

• Digital Battlespace

  Finnish Air Force accepts TRS GM 403 long endurance radar

  15th January 2013

  The Finnish Air Force (FAF) has accepted the first Ground Master (GM) 403 long range air defence radar system from ThalesRaytheonSystems (TRS) in a ceremony …

• Defence Helicopter

  Upgraded RAF Chinook operational in Afghanistan

  9th January 2013

  The first upgraded Royal Air Force (RAF) Chinook Mk4 helicopters deployed to Afghanistan in late November, less than six months after their introduction to frontline …

• Defence Notes

  Thales simulators support RAF Tornados

  21st December 2012

  Thales UK-ACE has been playing a key simulation and training role in support of a Royal Air Force (RAF) Tornado fast jet squadron detachment handover …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  NAC UAV facilities expanded

  12th December 2012

  West Wales Airport and Newquay Cornwall Airport have formed a partnership that will supply the UK Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) industry with additional capacity for …

• Land Warfare

  Thales delivers Talisman training system

  11th December 2012

  Thales UK has delivered an interactive training solution, the Thales Talisman Training System (T3S), to UK forces preparing to use the Talisman system in support …

• Digital Battlespace

  Thales Link 16 satcom solution successfully deployed

  7th December 2012

  The Thales solution for long-range Link 16 transmission of tactical data via satellite has been successfully deployed by French soldiers for the first time. The …

• Digital Battlespace

  Sofradir takes on Sagem and Thales IR technologies

  6th December 2012

  Sofradir has signed an agreement with Thales and Sagem to acquire the companies’ infrared (IR) detector technology development and manufacturing facilities. Sofradir, a joint subsidiary …

• Naval Warfare

  Thales wins Netherlands Goalkeeper modification contract

  29th November 2012

  Thales is to update the Goalkeeper Close-In Weapon Systems of the Royal Netherlands Navy under a new contract signed between the Netherland’s Ministry of Defence …

• Digital Battlespace

  RAAF Wedgetail E-7A simulator receives update

  22nd November 2012

  Thales Australia has announced that it has introduced a major update to the visual system of the Royal Australian Air Force’s (RAAF’s) Wedgetail E-7A Flight …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  UAVs in civilian airspace moves closer

  22nd November 2012

  A new strategic partnership between the UK’s National Aeronautical Centre (NAC) and Oklahoma State University’s Multispectral Laboratory (UML) could pave the way for the use …

• Land Warfare

  Thales to supply STARStreak to Royal Thai Army

  16th November 2012

  Thales UK will supply the STARStreak air defence missile system to the Royal Thai Army under a contract announced on 15 November. According to the …

• Land Warfare

  Lockheed Martin advances with UK Warrior upgrade

  14th November 2012

  Lockheed Martin has announced that it is making ‘significant progress’ carrying out the British Army’s Warrior Capability Sustainment Programme (WCSP), having completed its System Architecture …

• Uncrewed Vehicles

  DGA reports Watchkeeper programme progress

  9th November 2012

  The French DGA has reported that it has begun evaluation of the Watchkeeper UAV. The Watchkeeper system is being developed by Thales UK to meet …

• Defence Helicopter

  Italian NH90 Afghan deployment hampered by teething problems

  8th November 2012

  The Italian NH90 helicopter detachment to Afghanistan has been initially hampered by problems such as windshield cracks and the poor availability of spares, it has …

Programme Results - Defence Insight

• ISR/special mission

  Strategic Intelligence Aircraft [France]

  Background In February 2018, the Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly, announced that the strategic intelligence aircraft program CUGE Universal EW Capability began to ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Land 121 Phase 4 [Australia]

  Programme background Three suppliers were originally down-selected to meet the Land 121 Phase 4 requirement: Thales Australia, General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and Force Protection ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  Flexible Tactical Uncrewed Air System (FTUAS) [UK]

  Background Tender notice and timeline On 25 May 2021, the MoD published a tender notice for the urgent acquisition of a UAS and ancillaries under ...

• Self-propelled rocket launchers

  Long-Range Ground Strike (FLP-T) [France]

  Background The French Army currently operates the M270 as its only MLRS. France previously procured a total of 55, though this number had reduced to ...

• Fighter - multirole

  Su-30SM Armenia

  The Su-30SM is upgraded variant of Su-30MKI. Its capabilities include Bars-R radar, RVV-SV medium-range air-to-air missile, Thales SMD55S/VEN-3022 or Russian IKSh-1M avionics replacing Elbit SU967 head-up display, LINS-1000RS inertial ...

• Military UAS - MALE

  French MALE UAVs [France]

  Background Requirements The French Ministry of the Armed Forces wishes to develop a French MALE offering comparable to the MQ-9 Reaper, which would, it is hoped, promote ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6, MPVs - 4x4

  Multi-Role Vehicle (Protected) Package 2 [UK]

  Background The MRV-P platforms will replace a diverse fleet of 4x4 and 6x6 vehicles purchased during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, thereby helping to standardise ...

• Military UAS - fixed-wing, Military UAS - mini

  Mini Intelligence Drone System (SMDR) [France]

  Background Requirement The French Army identified a need for a new tactical UAS to replace the Drac, which entered service in 2008. The Mini Reconnaissance ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  LAV Replacement [Japan]

  Programme Background The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) received 1,937 Light Armoured Vehicles (LAVs) from Komatsu between 2001 and ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  Project NYX: Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform (LACP) [UK]

  Background Autonomous Collaboration Platform (ACP) strategy Reflecting on lessons from the cancellation of the Mosquito programme, the Royal Air Force (RAF) redefined the role of ...

• APCs/IFVs - 8x8

  VBCI (Qatar)

  Programme Background The VBCI-2 was selected in preference to a competing offer comprising Patria's AMV 8x8 equipped with a Lockheed Martin turret. However, at the ...

• Military UAS - tactical

  Acquisition of an Initial Depth Support Drone Capacity (ADAPT) [France]

  Background Aftermath of SDT To fill the capability void left by the cancellation of the second section of the Tactical Drone System (SDT) programme, three ...

• Military helicopters - scout/light attack

  MD 530G Lebanon

  The Armed MD 530G Scout Attack Helicopter features next-generation all-glass cockpit that includes: two Genesys Aerosystems IDU-680 6” x 9” LCD primary displays, Tek Fusion ...

• APCs/IFVs - 6x6

  VBMR Griffon (Batch 1) [Belgium]

  Background Requirements In its Strategic Vision for Defence document published in June 2016, the Belgian MoD outlined its aspirations for equipping five motorised manoeuvre battalions ...

• MPVs - 4x4

  Bushmaster [Netherlands]

  Background The six Bushmasters ordered by the Royal Netherlands Army will be manufactured in Australia. More than 60 Australian suppliers will be involved in the ...

Equipment Results - Defence Insight

• Transponders and IFF

  Thales TSX-3500

  Thales TSX 3500 Family includes the TSA & TSB 3520 - Naval IFF Interrogators and Combined Interrogator Transponder, which provide medium and long-range information on ...

• Land: Radio and SATCOM

  SquadNet Soldier Radio

  Thales SquadNet Soldier Radio is compact radio with a simplified screen designed for dismounted troops. It has built-in Bluetooth and GPS functionality, as well as ...

• Naval: Radio and SATCOM

  SURFSAT-L

  Produced by Thales, SURFSAT-L is a SATCOM terminal designed for medium to large surface vessels. According to the manufacturer, it is designed to achieve a ...

• Frigates

  SIGMA 115115HN

  Dutch shipbuilder Damen has designed a new multi-mission frigate as part of the Sigma class known as the Sigma 11515. As with all Sigma-class designs, ...

• EO/IR systems

  TALIOS

  The TArgeting Long-range Identification Optronic System (TALIOS) is a targeting pod from Thales.  It is equipped with top-down and bottom-up datalinks and can scan a large area, identify ...

• Air: helicopter flight simulators

  NH90

  As part of the Helisim consortium based in Marignane, Thales has supplied an NH90 simulator for use by French and foreign military forces. Helisim also ...

• Land: tactical engagement simulators

  Live Training Solutions

  Thales offers live training solutions for land and combined forces around the world. Thales Combat Training Centres are available for open and urban battlefields, and ...

• Air: surveillance and maritime patrol radar, Air: UAS radar

  Searchmaster

  The Searchmaster is an airborne multi-role surveillance radar manufactured by Thales. The Searchmaster is suitable for MALE (medium altitude, long endurance) UAVs, medium-tonnage or heavy-lift ...

• Data links

  Link Y Mk2

  Thales Link Y Mk2 is used to securely exchange tactical data and orders via a self-managing, adaptive radio network between multiple military platforms. Designed for ...

• Land: battle management systems

  SILVER

  Developed by Indra Systemas, SILVER is a land management system designed specifically for vehicular applications. Based on a modular system that can run on COTS ...

• Sea: naval surveillance radar

  NS50

  The NS50 is a four-dimensional surveillance radar produced by Thales. It is designed to provide simultaneous air and surface target detection and tracking, and fire ...

• Air: transport/tanker simulators

  A330 Voyager MRTT Training Services

  Through AirTanker Services, a JV between Thales, Airbus Group, Cobham, Rolls-Royce and Babcock, Thales provides and maintains training services for the RAF’s Future Strategic Tanker ...

• Sea: sonar systems

  Captas-4 Compact

  CAPTAS-4 Compact is part of the wider CAPTAS family of Combined Active and Passive Towed Array Sonars. CAPTAS-4 Compact is a reduced-footprint variant of Thales' CAPTAS-4, ...

• Loitering munitions

  Munition Télé-Opérée – Longue Portée (MTO-LP)

  At the Paris Air Show 2025, Thales and Boreal announced they had partnered to develop the Munition Télé-Opérée – Longue Portée (MTO-LP), a long-range loitering ...

• Sea: naval surveillance radar

  Smart-S Mk 2

  The Smart-S Mk2 is a three-dimensional naval air and surface surveillance radar manufactured by Aselsan and Thales. The transmit and receive modules are produced by ...