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The UK is considering sending Starstreak missiles to Ukraine as it increases its support following Russia’s invasion. Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary, described how Vladimir Putin’s invading army was inflicting “horrific devastation” on civilian areas. He explained that while the initial commitment was to supply 2,000 anti-tank weapons, Russia’s “indiscriminate and murderous” advance meant the UK’s support would be increased. But what are the Starstreak missiles which could form part of the next consigments to Ukraine? Here’s everything you need to know. What are Starstreak missiles? Starstreak is a man-portable air-defence system (MANPADS or MPADS) developed by Thales Air Defence...

Laser weapons will be fitted to a British warship and armoured vehicles for the first time in a test that could "revolutionise the battlefield", the Ministry of Defence has said. So-called radio frequency weapons, which use electromagnetic energy to disable electronic systems, will also be included in three contracts worth around £72.5m. The money will be used to build demonstrators that will test the capabilities before they are cleared for regular use. Jeremy Quin, the defence minister in charge of procurement, said: "Directed Energy Weapons are a key element of our future equipment programmes and we intend to become a...

At Euronaval 2016, the largest naval defense exhibition in the world currently held in France, Thales unveiled the RAPIDSeaGuardian 40mm multi role artillery. It is basically a naval version of the famous landbased RAPIDFire system, using the same 40CTA canon (by Nexter & BAE Systems: CTA International). Thales RAPIDSeaGuardian CIWS Euronaval 2016 news Thales RAPIDSeaGuardian Naval Gun System Thanks to its powerful anti-aircraft gun and optronic fire-control, RAPIDSeaGuardian is optimised to defeat new air threats such as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV), helicopters, Fighters-Ground Attack (FGA), cruise missiles, Fast Patrol Boats, seaskimming missiles,... Either in an autonomous or integrated mode, RAPIDSeaGuardian...

<p>ANKARA, Feb 19 (Reuters) - Turkey will go ahead with plans to order a $3.4-billion missile defence system from China, Defence Minister Ismet Yilmaz said, despite U.S. and NATO concerns over security and compatibility of weaponry.</p>

HENGELO, Netherlands --- Equipped with Thales’s Active Phased Array Radar (APAR), the Royal Danish Navy’s HDMS Peter Willemoes performed live firing trials to demonstrate its air defence capabilities. The trial, executed on 21 November 2013, consisted of four Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles being directed by APAR to four targets. The trial was successful: all launched missiles performed a successful intercept. In the first part of the trial, a Banshee drone was eliminated by a missile launched by HDMS Peter Willemoes. With pinpoint accuracy APAR guided the missile to the target, resulting in a successful threat elimination. Subsequently, three Banshee drones...

The French defence procurement agency DGA has awarded Thales with the contract to develop the New Generation Laser Designation Pod (PDL NG). This latest milestone is a follow on from the risk reduction phase led throughout 2013 and series production is expected to begin in 2018. Thales will develop the PDL NG that will provide the French air forces with new day/night imaging and engagement capabilities in complex theatres of operations. The PDL NG will be designed to integrate with both the Rafale and Mirage 2000D fighter aircraft. The risk-reduction phase, the first step in the development of any programme,...

Sea King radar at the heart of anti-insurgent operations 15:25 GMT, July 1, 2011 Thales UK’s Searchwater 2000 airborne early warning (AEW) radar, fitted as part of the Cerberus mission system in the Royal Navy (RN) Sea King Mk7s currently deployed in Afghanistan, has been playing a critical role in helping crews combat Taliban operations with its state-of-the-art surveillance capability. During recent operations, deployed Sea King crews have described the radar as 'unique' and both British and coalition partners have stated that it is a 'key contributory factor' in protecting civilians and military personnel from the insurgents, providing the essential...

Russia's main arms exporter has signed a string of deals with a leading French defense firm for provision of night-vision devices on combat vehicles. The contract was signed between Russia's Rosoboronexport and France's Thales company and concerns night-vision devices for Russia's T-90 tanks that will be manufactured under a licensed agreement at an optical-mechanical plant in Vologda, Russian media reported. "Under the contract, Russia has the right to assemble thermal imaging systems for armored vehicles under license in Vologda, with the subsequent maintenance," said Igor Sevastyanov, head of the Russian defense company, according to RIA Novosti.

Thales reveals 'cloud' concept for Rafale radar technologies By Craig Hoyle Thales has revealed the first details of its new technology roadmap for the Dassault Rafale's radar and electronic warfare systems, which it believes could create opportunities to equip several other aircraft types over the next 20 years. The new concept allows for the insertion of future technologies, such as gallium nitride transmit/receive modules, by using a so-called "cloud" architecture, says Pierre-Yves Chaltiel, head of electronic combat systems for Thales Airborne Systems. Likely to be available within the next several years, the new T/R modules would enable Thales to reduce...

Thales’ Support for Future French Multi-Mission Frigates Thales outlines supplied systems for the French FREMM programme 06:30 GMT, May 5, 2010 Neuilly-sur-Seine | Since early 2007, construction is underway at the Lorient shipyard for the FREMM Aquitaine, the first in a world-class series of future frigates for the French Navy. Thales is proud to be onboard the FREMM Aquitaine, which is scheduled to be put to water this week in preparation for further testing. Thales systems comprise a significant portion of the operational value of these frigates, for which prime contracting duties for shipbuilding and combat systems management are handled...

France's plan to sell 1.2 billion euro ($1.6 billion) worth of military equipment for Pakistan's JF-17 combat aircraft has been held up, a source at President Nicolas Sarkozy's office said on Friday.Newspaper Le Monde had reported earlier that France decided to suspend the sale of electronics and missiles -- the first section of a 6 billion euro contract -- under pressure from India and uncertainty over Pakistan's finances. "It's a deal that's not ready from the Pakistani side," the source said, without giving further details. "For now, the state of the dossier doesn't allow us to carry on with it."...

I have attempted to remain open minded throughout the investigation of Air France Flight 447. I had hoped that the Bureau d’Enquêtes et d’Analyses (BEA) would come forward and present the facts as known. The evidence shows this is not the case and as a matter of fact, the only reason Thales pitots are still on the Airbus airplanes is for the protection of European companies and their European labor/workers. One would think that Boeing might want to update their complaint with the World Trade Organization (WTO)? The European aviation industry is more concerned with their own business interest and...

F-35 chief endorses competition for engines and radars By Stephen Trimble New F-35 programme chief Brig Gen David Heinz strongly defended the case for funding two separate engines and raised the possibility of qualifying Raytheon or Thales as an alterative radar supplier. Speaking to reporters on 2 June, Heinz spoke out in favour of continuing production of the General Electric/Rolls-Royce F136 alternate engine despite its added costs. "I believe that part of the debate that has to occur -- and is occurring - is, is there an operational risk that we are accepting by having just a single engine manufacturer?"...

Russian fighters to use Thales Damocles targeting pods By Vladimir Karnozov Russia will license-produce the Thales Damocles reconnaissance and target designation pod for its air force strike aircraft, following successful tests of the system with Malaysia's Sukhoi Su-30MKM multirole fighter. Made late last year, the decision will see Damocles become the first piece of Western equipment approved for integration with Russia's combat aircraft, and the first to be produced locally under an official licence with the system's developer. Comparative trials involving Damocles and the Ural Optical and Mechanical Plant (UOMZ)-produced Sapsan and Solux targeting pods went in favour of the...

Thales to convert Indian Navy minesweepers into mine hunters Posted : Tue, 08 Jan 2008 04:45:04 GMT Author : Vishnu Makhijani and Arvind Padmanabhan Category : India (World) India World News | Home New Delhi, Jan 8 - French defence and electronics major Thales is to convert four to six Indian Navy minesweepers into state-of-the-art mine hunters in a deal believed to be worth $50 million. The company is also in advanced negotiations with the Indian Air Force (IAF) for a generational upgrade of its Mirage-2000 combat jets, even as it is 'completely open to collaboration' with the Indian Space...

Saab to fly Future Gripen by late 2008 By Craig Hoyle Saab, meanwhile, expects to fly a two-seat demonstrator for an increased-size Future Gripen by late 2008, with risk-sharing partners including General Electric, Honeywell, Terma and Thales now onboard. The aircraft's outer mould line has not yet been frozen, but windtunnel tests have recently been conducted by Switzerland's Ruag. The design features a relocated and strengthened main undercarriage, two additional stores pylons and a 35-40% increase in internal fuel capacity. "We have been very pleased with what we have seen, and with the performance of the [GE] F414 engine," says...

A multiple rocket launcher on the frigates multi-missions? The ministry for Defense currently thinks of the possibility of installing a new type of material on the future frigates multi-missions. It would be about a navalized version of Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS), conceived by American Lockheed Martin and developed in co-operation with Great Britain, France, Italy and Germany. Paris plans the launching of a study plan upstream (PEA) in 2007 to determine the feasibility of the project. This material, successor of the LRU, imposing rocket launcher used on the vehicles of the terrestrial forces, would have, thanks to its...

Thales UK offers to sell sub-systems for India's N-subs Press Trust of India Glasgow, July 9, 2006 British defence majors are expressing readiness to export frontline weapons technology to India and 'Thales UK' has even offered to sell some critical sub-systems for New Delhi's top secret nuclear submarine project. "Here we have developed a non-hull penetrating technology to remove cumbersome periscopes from submarines. And we are ready to offer this technology for India's upgraded Kilo class submarines and its Advanced Technology Vehicle (ATV)," Peter Mcbride, Director Naval exports of the company said. Thales is making these non-penetrating hull masts and...

(AFX UK Focus) 2006-03-21 10:10 GMT: France's Thales worker arrested for stealing SKorean military secrets - UPDATE Article layout: raw (Updates with Thales statement, quotes, details) SEOUL (AFX) - A Frenchman working for defense company Thales has been arrested for obtaining South Korean military secrets, prosecutors said. The French businessman and two South Koreans were held for obtaining confidential documents concerning radar equipment for the South Korean Navy, a prosecution official told Agence France-Presse. The prosecutors' office in the central city of Daejeon refused to identify the Frenchman. He was described as an executive with the South Korean branch of...

The fragmented European defense industry is on the verge of large-scale restructuring, and a small Bremen-based submarine equipment manufacturer is playing a key role in the process. As recently as last spring, it looked as though Michel Josserand, 48, was on the fast track to the top at European aviation and defense group EADS. The French senior executive had been chosen for his position from among several candidates, and had been on the job only four months when he put together his first major deal for the company, a subsidiary of DaimlerChrysler, the acquisition of Finnish mobile phone producer Nokia's...