Latest news with #ThalesUK
Express Tribune
17-04-2025
- Express Tribune
British Army's new radio frequency directed energy weapon destroys over 100 drones
The British radiofrequency directed energy weapon (RF DEW) can take down drones Credit: Ministry of Defence Listen to article British soldiers have used a home-grown directed-energy weapon to destroy swarms of drones in a landmark military trial, marking the UK's largest counter-drone exercise to date. The trial, held at a range in west Wales, tested a radio frequency directed-energy weapon (RF DEW) developed by Thales UK. The system successfully tracked and neutralised over 100 drones across multiple engagements by emitting high-frequency radio waves that disrupted the drones' internal electronics. In one test, British troops brought down two separate swarms in a single engagement. The RF DEW system is designed to defeat aerial threats at up to 1km and costs just 10 pence per shot — a fraction of traditional missile-based systems. Sgt Mayers from 106 Regiment Royal Artillery, who operated the weapon, described it as 'quick to learn and easy to use,' and said further improvements in range and power could make it a valuable tool in layered air defence. The Ministry of Defence has invested over £40 million in RF DEW development as part of its Plan for Change, pledging to spend at least 10% of its procurement budget on novel technologies from 2025-26. 'RF DEW is a pioneering concept and a cost-effective solution against a growing threat,' said Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle. 'It showcases the best of British innovation and strengthens our national security.' Drone swarms have become a key challenge in modern warfare, with Ukraine reporting over 18,000 drone attacks in 2023. UK officials say RF DEW systems could protect critical infrastructure, airports, and defence sites from similar threats. Thales executive Nigel MacVean said the company would continue to develop the technology in partnership with the UK government to meet emerging defence challenges.
The Independent
05-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
Arms manufacturer to open third facility in Northern Ireland
A major weapons manufacturer is set to open a third facility in Northern Ireland, Assembly members have heard. Thales UK operates two sites in the region – with high-precision missiles designed and produced at a plant in east Belfast, and final missile assembly at another plant in Crossgar, Co Down. It designs and produces missiles including Starstreak, Lightweight Multi-role Missile (LMM) systems as well as final assembly of the Saab designed NLAW. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer recently announced that Thales would supply 5,000 LMMs to Ukraine in a deal worth up to £1.6 billion. Appearing at the Stormont Economy committee, Nigel MacVean, managing director for Thales in Northern Ireland, revealed plans for a third site. He also told MLAs that missiles have been shipped from Belfast to the front line in Ukraine and are making an impact. He said LMMs are 'widely recognised as one of the key drivers in keeping Russian helicopters out of Ukraine', while the NLAW 'is widely regarded as being responsible for keeping Russian tanks out of Kyiv'. Mr MacVean said the firm has been on a rapid growth curve over the last couple of years, and will continue to grow rapidly. He said there are currently 850 direct employees in Belfast and they expect to create another 200 jobs over the next two years. 'We'll expand our footprint from the two existing sites we have in Northern Ireland to a third site as well as part of that expansion plan,' he told MLAs. 'We're at the moment just launching around £100 million worth of investment in our facilities, capital infrastructure in Northern Ireland. That'll be largely undertaken by local companies.' The committee heard from a number of firms during its meeting on Wednesday morning which included a briefing from the UK Aerospace, Defence, Security and Space industries (ADS) on the need for a long-term strategic plan to support the industry. Leslie Orr, from the ADS Group – a trade body for sectors, said the industry is now worth £2.2 billion to the Northern Ireland economy, and employs more than 10,000 people. 'It's a critical sector for Northern Ireland,' he added.
Reuters
04-03-2025
- Business
- Reuters
Thales CEO says European defence capacity tied to orders
PARIS, March 4(Reuters) - Europe has the technology to assure its own defence but its ability to fill any gaps left by transatlantic tensions will depend on the extent to which political declarations turn into firm defence orders, the head of France's Thales ( opens new tab said. European leaders agreed at a weekend summit that they must sharply increase defence spending to show U.S. President Donald Trump that the continent can protect itself. "Does Europe have the necessary technology to produce the full spectrum of defence equipment that it needs? The answer is yes," Thales CEO Patrice Caine told reporters, adding that France already supplied virtually all its own military needs. But Caine, who leads France's largest defence electronics group, said industrial capacity would track actual demand. "Production capacity adjusts naturally to the level of contracts. It is more a question for buyers, governments and armies. Will the declarations be backed by extra contracts?," Caine told reporters after posting annual Thales results. In November, Thales predicted average like-for-like sales growth of 6% to 7% in defence between 2024 and 2028. After hosting the weekend summit, Britain on Sunday announced an order for 5,000 lightweight multirole missiles (LMM) from Thales UK for Ukraine, saying this would treble production at its Belfast factory. That follows an order for 650 of the air defence missiles for Ukraine last September. "For Thales it represents the equivalent of about one year of revenues generated in Britain," which are about 1.5 billion pounds a year, Caine said. Thales said it is in the process of tripling capacity for defensive radars as well as equipment for the Rafale warplane, while quadrupling the capacity for effectors or the core armament of a missile or weapons system excluding its sensors.
