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Applying its distinctive model of multidomestic development, Thales has expanded from France into the rest of Europe, Americas and the Asia-Pacific region, and is pursuing its growth strategy in promising new markets all over the world.

This multidomestic approach is one of the pillars of Thales's corporate strategy and an integral part of its long-term vision for international development and growth. It is based on the conviction that a truly international group is much more than a loose confederation of operations and holdings. A truly global player must establish a solid local presence in each of its main markets, draw on the diversity of its teams throughout the world and be rooted in the culture of each country of operation. For Thales, this local presence is a decisive argument in defence markets in particular, where issues of national sovereignty are often paramount. Maintaining this multidomestic footprint also makes it possible to anticipate and understand customer requirements and ultimately achieve customer satisfaction and build long-term trust.

Thales has always been a major exporter, and today the company generates close to 80% of its revenues outside France. The expansion of the multidomestic operations since the 1990s, however, has taken this international dimension to a new level. Today, over half of the Thales workforce is based outside France.

In many cases, Thales has expanded into new markets through partnerships with local industry. Most of these partnerships have later been dissolved, with Thales taking control or full ownership of the local subsidiary once local customers have recognised its legitimacy and capabilities. The most recent example is ADI, formerly a 50-50 joint venture with the Australian infrastructure group Transfield. In October 2006, after obtaining the necessary approvals from the Australian authorities, Thales acquired Transfield's interests in ADI. All Thales businesses in Australia have since been incorporated into one entity.

With the recent acquisition of Alcatel-Lucent businesses, Thales has expanded its presence in Germany and Canada, as well as in Italy, Spain, Portugal, Romania, Poland and Austria. The new satellite joint ventures have local workforces in France and several other countries. The transport and security businesses joining Thales from Alcatel- Lucent employ almost 3,500 people, all of them based outside France: 78% in Europe and 22% in North America. As a result, Thales has further enlarged its international footprint.

One of the company's top priorities is to leverage the strategic new locations of the former Alcatel-Lucent businesses. In addition, the cooperation agreement between the two companies ensures that each partner will benefit from the other's international footprint.