Thales At the Heart of New Naval Challenges

Thales is at the forefront of developing new naval solutions to meet evolving environmental and security challenges. As a long-term partner for more than 50 Navies around the world, the company has proven itself to be an innovative and reliable partner, helping customers to adapt to market changes.

At the 2010 Euronaval Show, Thales is demonstrating its ability:

* To meet 21st Century maritime environmental and security challenges, such as:

--Escalating piracy that is accentuating the need to protect shipping routes;
--Asymmetric threats, from terrorism or illegal trafficking, that have been on the rise, fuelling the need to further protect assets in coastal zones or EEZs;
--The growing requirement for high-performance anti-submarine systems due to the increase in the number of submarines on a worldwide level;
--The increased use of smaller size platforms (mainly Offshore Patrol Vessels, or OPVs) that is generating demand for smaller, adaptable and less expensive systems and equipment.

* To provide customers with innovative offerings that cover the full spectrum of their needs, from the conception of systems up to end-of-life.

The Thales stand will be divided into five main zones: Above Water Warfare, Maritime Safety and Security, Under Water Warfare, Information Superiority (interconnectivity, interoperability) and Naval Services.

Thales equips new ships and upgrades existing vessels with latest-generation systems, sensors and equipment that ensure mission success in areas such as maritime security, anti-mine warfare and anti-submarine missions.

Generating over one billion euros per year across its naval markets, Thales is developing new solutions - many of which are on display at Euronaval 2010 - to meet the needs of key players (national navies, coastguard services, port authorities, etc.).

Thales solutions on display include an animated showcase featuring unmanned maritime vehicles – a key force in anti-mine warfare that reduces risks to crewmembers.

The company is also introducing Vigile LW, a new, lightweight, naval Radar Electronic Support Measures system set to redefine situational awareness for small fast patrol craft.

Thales will also showcase SIC 21, the new-generation naval C4I system delivered by Thales to the French navy providing decision superiority capacities and means to operational commanders. SIC 21 is a system vision of multi-level interoperability based on a common information and communications core allowing the delivery of information services to a wider community of maritime users.

Last but not least, Thales will be displaying I-MAST, a sensor and communication system integrated directly into a central mast structure onboard naval vessels. It improves operational performance while also reducing ship-building time and maintenance. Without forgetting Coastwatcher 10, Thales’s “all-in-one” coastal surveillance radar, which allows port authorities and offshore operators to detect and track very small dynamic targets even in harsh weather conditions.