joint release by Sagem DS and Thales, PARIS, LE BOURGET: Sagem Defense Security, a branch of the Safran Group, and Thales have decided to combined their strengths to propose complete upgrade solutions for Dassault combat aircraft, excluding Mirage 2000 and Rafale.
Thales will provide expertise in onboard radars, electronic warfare, communications and laser designation pods. Sagem Defense Security will add its know-how in navigation and mission planning systems, mission computers, mission software and integration, and new-generation weapon deployment. With this combination, it will be possible to offer solutions that draw on all the best technologies available to upgrade the operational capabilities of the world's combat aircraft to the state of the art.
Under a preliminary agreement, the two companies have agreed to form a 50-50 joint venture by the end of 2005 to provide the armed forces with a single point of contact for the programmes involved. The jointly controlled company will draw on both partners' resources and capabilities to optimise the benefits of existing technical skills and technologies for customers. It will have access to the equipment already developed by both partners for other programmes as well as system integration experience on upgrade programmes involving more than 400 aircraft.
Several Air Forces have already indicated an interest in this new offering and negotiations are underway with a view to upgrading several dozen earlier-generation Mirage aircraft to provide them with a modern multi-role capability.
Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group serving defence, aerospace, security and services markets. The Group employs 61,500 people throughout the world and generated revenues of 10.3 billion euros in 2004.
Sagem Defense Security is one of the high-technology companies in the European Safran group. The third-largest European group in the defence and security electronics market, world leader in fingerprint biometrics and a major player in avionics and onboard information systems for aircraft, Sagem Defense Security maintains a presence in more than 20 countries worldwide.
