In the presence of numerous guests from the world of politics, the business development corporation in Kiel, industry and German Navy, the new Thales naval competence centre in Kiel-Wik was officially opened on 30th August. In collaboration with the naval competence centre in Wilhelmshaven linked up with the one in Kiel and with its naval organisation, Thales Deutschland offers optimal proximity to its clients and partners – above all the German Navy and the shipyards. Thales herewith emphasises its ambition to play a central role in the upcoming procurement projects for the German Navy and in the development of new digital services in the long term.

In his speech, Dr. Christoph Hoppe, CEO Thales Deutschland, emphasised that after years of overall reductions and stagnation in the naval industry there is a high shortage in the field of armed forces’ equipment. This is why Thales prepares for a growth at the site.

The coordinator of the German Federal Government for maritime industry, Norbert Brackmann (Member of the Bundestag), underlined that in the security policy and within the NATO not only the meaning of naval forces is increasing. He pointed out to current skills gaps and to the essential meaning of new technologies such as those of Thales, to be able to meet future geopolitical challenges accordingly.

Investment into the future

For Thales, the investments in future-proof infrastructures in the north of Germany form the basis for pioneering developments in the field of maritime solutions and digital services as well as for the successful recruitment and training of new skilled personnel on attractive places of work, training and study. In Kiel, the Thales employees benefit from a highly modern working environment that shall advance individual exchange of information, teamwork and creativity, and that lies in the heart of a district that is characterised by naval and technology industry.