Thales to Expand Electronic Warfare Capability

Thales has signed a contract with the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) to expand training and upskilling in the companys electronic warfare capability.>> The DMO is providing $950,000 of extra funding under Skilling Australias Defence Industry (SADI) program. This new commitment increases the combined Thales SADI contract value commitment to more than $21 million over a three-year period.>> The SADI initiative shares the responsibility for skills growth and development between industry and government, and represents a win-win solution for both the defence of Australia and the Australian defence industry.>> Thales is a global leader in electronic warfare, and this SADI initiative will accelerate the establishment of a substantial capability within Thales Australia. A significant part of the skilling program will be delivered through Thales University, the companys in-house learning and development centre of excellence.>> Thales Australias managing director, Chris Jenkins, said: This is a significant Defence commitment and is a tangible endorsement of Thaless strategy to establish a substantial electronic warfare capability in Australia.>> The agreement will improve Australias self-reliance in electronic warfare, and provide Defence and industry with a base to better service the Asia-Pacific region.>> We greatly appreciate the DMOs valuable contribution in this crucial area.>>> Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide. Thaless leading-edge technology is supported by 22,000 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems. Thales employs 68,000 people in 50 countries with 2007 revenues of AUD19 billion.