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Thales in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Overview


Thales is a trusted partner of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), with a presence of over half a century. The Group provides advanced solutions in Defence & Security, Space & Aerospace, Transportation and Digital Identity & Security.

Thales has built a strong relationship with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through solid partnerships. This has allowed Thales to expand its footprint at a local level and  meet ever-evolving customer demands. Thales has been actively supporting the KSA Vision 2030, since its launch, making strides in localization of defense equipment and systems, development of local and cultural attractions,  as well as digital transformation.

50+
Years of Presence in the Country
300
Employees

Local cooperation


As a long-term partner, Thales has been supporting industrial development and innovation in the Kingdom. With the aim to localize the production of Defense systems, Thales set up SAMI Thales Electronic Systems (STES), a joint venture with the Saudi Arabian Military Industries (SAMI).

The Group works closely with local entities including Royal Commission of AlUla (RCU), with The National Security Services Company (SAFE), Saudi Telecom Company, Saudi Aerospace Engineering Industries, Saudi Navigation for the maintenance management system developed by Saudi Air Navigation Services (SANS) and SAMI Advanced Electronics. 

© Buttenkov Aleksey

Solutions


© Thales

Defence

Thales is a trusted partner of the Royal Armed Forces, providing innovative and field proven solutions to the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of National Guard. Thales provides cutting edge solutions and equipment associated with intensive training and support in Air defense & Air Surveillance, Communications systems, and Electronic warfare.

Security

As a leader in the security sector, Thales brings its expertise in the protection of critical infrastructures to the KSA. Thales equips the Holy sites in Makkah and Medina with integrated security solutions. The mosque in Makkah serves as the praying direction of more than one billion Muslims around the world. Additionally, on Jamarat bridge, Thales provides a traffic flow management system, which is built around an advanced information system incorporating smart image analysis technology.

Our integrated security systems are also deployed in industrial and touristic sites such Aramco, SABIC, Maaden, Jubail 2 and Al Ula.
 

© Sudarsun Mohan
© Sudarsun Mohan

Aerospace

Thales continues to broaden its long-standing cooperation with KSA in the aviation industry, supporting the country’s vision of being a global connecting hub through Air Traffic Management and navigations technologies. Thales is also the main supplier of Avionics, In-Flight Entertainment Systems and Connectivity Systems for SAUDIA, the Kingdom’s national carrier.

Space

Founded by the member states of the Arab League, Arabsat has been serving the growing needs of the Arab world for over 40 years. It is considered one of the world’s top satellite operators and by far the leading satellite services provider in the Arab world.

Thales Alenia Space has been a major supplier of the satellites since its inception in 1980, having worked on three first-generation, two second-generation and one third-generation satellites. Thales Alenia Space teamed up with Astrium to build and deliver 4th and 5th generation satellites in 2009. In 2022, Thales signed a contract to build ARABSAT-7A, a fully flexible Software-Defined Satellite (SDS) based on the Space Inspire (INstant SPace In-orbit Reconfiguration) platform by Thales Alenia Space. 

© Thales Alenia Space
© Sudarsun Mohan

Digital Identity & Security

Thales cooperates actively with the National Information Center for National Identity program providing highly secured solutions for IDs and Passports Documents Verification Systems. In banking, Thales is working with the Saudi Arabian Monetary Agency (SAMA) to secure the country’s electronic payment systems. Thales is the major supplier of EMV Cards and Trust Service Hub. Saudi Telecom Company (STC) has partnered with Thales for SIM cards and IoT connectivity, infrastructure and the Nationwide eSIM project. Recently Thales was awarded with the IoT Global connected Things Project.

Transport

Thales designs, develops, and delivers transport equipment, systems and services, providing end-to-end solutions in Saudi Arabia.

Thales has supplied its main European standard integrated solutions ETCS Level 2 signalling for 2430 km for the North-South Railway (NSR). This includes interlocking, rail field elements, an Operation Control Centre (OCC) and communications, amongst others. The project is the longest ETCS system in the world, connecting Riyadh with the north of the Kingdom. Thales communications systems provided for Al Mashaaer Al Muqaddassah Metro have enabled the line to reach the highest capacity of any metro in the world.

Additionally, Thales has successfully trained Saudi based engineers in maintenance activities.

© Aziz Cisse


Follow us on Social networks

You can follow us on global or local social media channels. Here are the main accounts of interest.

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© 2019 Alexandre - LIGHT EX MACHINA / THALES

Events for Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Thales regularly participates in strategic events in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Whether you are interested in defence, digital identity and security, aerospace or other market specific solutions, there should be a date and a place to meet us.


Careers at Thales in KSA


At Thales, we create an inclusive, diverse and flexible work environment to develop your talent without limits, helping us to build tomorrow’s world.

Contact us in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia


Thales 
8686 King Abdulaziz road – Al Wazarat,
PO Box 60125 Riyadh 11545,
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Tel : +966 11 479 28 80