Thales News

SpaceWatch Global • Joshua Faleti

NATO accelerates secure communications, air-defense data modernization, and next-gen ISR with new partner selections

NATO/NCIA selected a Thales–Leonardo consortium to deliver a next-generation secure deployable comms and information system for SOFCOM. Separately, NATO picked Saab’s GlobalEye for future AEW&C with negotiations for up to 10 aircraft, and awarded Enhanced Air Command and Control data platform contracts to Anduril, Palantir, and Athea SAS for a 9-month evaluation before selecting one solution.

5 Sources

2026-07-08T22:53:31.675054-07:00

Runway Girl

Thales takes a connectivity-agnostic stance for in-flight entertainment (IFE) integrations

1 Source

2026-07-07T12:44:21.237177-07:00

FlightGlobal

UK MoD commits to a Watchkeeper WK450 successor by 2027 as Thales legacy uncrewed surveillance platform nears withdrawal

1 Source

2026-07-06T09:16:21.644992-07:00

Via Satellite

Es’hailSat selects Thales Alenia Space for GEO software-defined telecom satellite (Es’hail-3/Türksat-Biruni)

13 Sources

2026-06-30T13:29:29.705660-07:00

Thales News Timeline

SpaceWatch Global

5 sources

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NATO accelerates secure communications, air-defense data modernization, and next-gen ISR with new partner selections NATO/NCIA selected a Thales–Leonardo consortium to deliver a next-generation secure deployable comms and information system for SOFCOM. Separately, NATO picked Saab’s GlobalEye for future AEW&C with negotiations for up to 10 aircraft, and awarded Enhanced Air Command and Control data platform contracts to Anduril, Palantir, and Athea SAS for a 9-month evaluation before selecting one solution.

2026-07-08T22:53:31.675054-07:00

NATO accelerates secure communications, air-defense data modernization, and next-gen ISR with new partner selections

Runway Girl

1 source

Thales takes a connectivity-agnostic stance for in-flight entertainment (IFE) integrations Thales says it will remain “agnostic on connectivity” for embedded IFE, positioning its in-flight experience platform to integrate with virtually any connectivity “pipe” rather than being tied to a single network provider. The approach is aimed at preserving flexibility for airlines as IFE and connectivity choices evolve.

2026-07-07T12:44:21.237177-07:00

Thales takes a connectivity-agnostic stance for in-flight entertainment (IFE) integrations

FlightGlobal

1 source

UK MoD commits to a Watchkeeper WK450 successor by 2027 as Thales legacy uncrewed surveillance platform nears withdrawal The UK Ministry of Defence says it will field a replacement uncrewed surveillance platform by 2027, as Thales Watchkeeper WK450 is set to be withdrawn from service earlier than March next year. Procurement officials must select and stand up a new system before the current fleet is retired.

2026-07-06T09:16:21.644992-07:00

UK MoD commits to a Watchkeeper WK450 successor by 2027 as Thales legacy uncrewed surveillance platform nears withdrawal

Via Satellite

13 sources

Es’hailSat selects Thales Alenia Space for GEO software-defined telecom satellite (Es’hail-3/Türksat-Biruni) Thales Alenia Space—Thales (67%)/Leonardo (33%)—has been contracted by Es’hailSat to build a next-generation software-defined telecommunications satellite in geostationary orbit, based on its Space INSPIRE in-orbit reconfiguration platform. The award sits within the Es’hail-3/Türksat-Biruni project framework under a Qatar–Türkiye strategic partnership.

2026-06-30T13:29:29.705660-07:00

Es’hailSat selects Thales Alenia Space for GEO software-defined telecom satellite (Es’hail-3/Türksat-Biruni)

AeroTime

2 sources

Thales pitches Schiebel S-301 armed VTOL helicopter drone as Apache wingman at Eurosatory 2026 Thales used Eurosatory 2026 to showcase Schiebel’s S-301 helicopter drone as an armed, VTOL platform for ISR, strike, and counter-drone missions. The pitch positions the system for a “wingman” role alongside manned rotorcraft, aligning unmanned autonomy and multi-mission payloads with upcoming air-land tactics.

2026-06-19T05:08:37.582776-07:00

Thales pitches Schiebel S-301 armed VTOL helicopter drone as Apache wingman at Eurosatory 2026

AeroTime

6 sources

Soframe, Thales and ArianeGroup unveil “B-Strike” sovereign deep-strike architecture for 150–2,500 km at Eurosatory At Eurosatory 2026, Soframe, Thales and ArianeGroup showcased “B-Strike” as part of a sovereign French deep-strike architecture built around the X-Fire/B-Strike concept. The system portfolio is presented for strike reach spanning roughly 150 to 2,500 km, signaling an integrated approach to long-range land-attack capability.

2026-06-16T04:34:11.506127-07:00

Soframe, Thales and ArianeGroup unveil “B-Strike” sovereign deep-strike architecture for 150–2,500 km at Eurosatory

Bloomberg

6 sources

Renault and Thales to co-develop militarized vehicles for France’s defense push Renault SA and Thales SA have announced a cooperation to build militarized vehicles by combining Renault’s industrial scale with Thales’ expertise in secure communications and defense systems. The partnership signals further integration of aerospace-style command-and-control and protection capabilities into land platforms.

2026-06-14T23:15:08.020369-07:00

Renault and Thales to co-develop militarized vehicles for France’s defense push

The Air Current

8 sources

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FAA nears selection of ASI (over Palantir) and Thales for AI-powered air traffic management tied to SMART NAS overhaul The FAA is close to awarding its AI-powered air traffic management system contract, weighing ASI against Palantir and Thales, according to the reporting. The program—SMART—was described by the FAA as a central pillar of its National Airspace System modernization plan, poised to reshape the ATC stack built on legacy technology.

2026-06-13T16:20:24.638043-07:00

FAA nears selection of ASI (over Palantir) and Thales for AI-powered air traffic management tied to SMART NAS overhaul