Thales

Additional Details

Thales S.A., trading as Thales Group, is a French multinational aerospace and defense corporation specializing in electronics. It designs, develops, and manufactures a wide variety of aerospace and military systems, devices, and equipment, while also operating in the cybersecurity sector (having formerly operated in civil ground transportation). Thales has reportedly sold €2 million worth of flight-assistance systems for armed drones to the Israeli defense industry. While the supplied equipment is described as "non-lethal," critics note that these drones require such systems to operate. An investigation by Disclose indicates that these drones have been deployed continuously alongside special forces and infantry units. Furthermore, Thales, in partnership with Elbit Systems through the joint venture UAV Tactical Systems Ltd, has produced drones for the military, notably the Watchkeeper drone, which is based on Elbit’s Hermes 450 model. Critics argue this partnership allows for the monetization of technologies tested and developed in conflict zones, which are subsequently resold to third countries. In addition, UAV Tactical Systems exports drone components directly to Israel. Human rights organizations and investigators have also alleged that the French group is complicit in regional conflicts, asserting that it supplies essential electronic components used in the manufacture of the Hermes 900 drone, which has been utilized in military operations in Gaza. -- Listed on Euronext Paris (HO), Thales is backed by leading sovereign wealth funds, most notably NBIM.