Thales and Airbus selected by DGA to upgrade France's joint electronic warfare capabilities
Paris, 11 February 2021- The French defence procurement agency (DGA) has awarded Thales and Airbus a contract for the new joint tactical signals intelligence (SIGINT) system to upgrade the French forces' critical signals monitoring, direction finding and spectrum analysis capabilities.
The 10-year contract will equip the three armed forces with a common information system and set of sensors and is designated a high-impact programme (PEM1), alongside CONTACT and SCORPION, under France's defence spending plan. This joint tactical SIGINT system will provide French armed forces command with an expanded tactical electronic support measures (ESM) capability.
The tactical SIGINT programme will upgrade the electronic warfare capabilities of front-line units, providing a set of high-performance portable or vehicle-mounted assets compatible with the latest communications technologies. The new system to monitor and localise enemy communications will support tactical manoeuvres in the theatre of operations, helping to keep our forces safe and secure. It will equip the electronic support vehicles of the French Army's 54th Signals Regiment (SCORPION programme), the French Navy's front-line warships and the Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft, and could be deployed to protect air bases on military operations overseas.
The system will be the only one of its kind in service with the French forces. All three armed forces will rely on the same logistics infrastructure to simplify training of specialist operators and optimise through-life support delivery. The programme will benefit from the combined experience of co-contractors Thales (agent) and Airbus.
Thales will draw on the SIGINT expertise developed by the Group on several legacy programmes: COHORTE (the current French Army tactical SIGINT system), MINREM2 (French Navy SIGINT system), ARCHANGE3 (French Air Force new-generation SIGINT aircraft) and CLOVIS4 (strategic interministerial communications localisation project). Thales will also build on its capabilities in end-to-end communications, radio communications and communications security.
Airbus will provide its expertise in strategic ELINT systems, drawing on its experience on programmes such as RAMSES (strategic radio and satellite communications information system) and PARADOS (radio signal acquisition sensor). These systems are currently in operational service with France's defence intelligence agency (DRM5), the French Army, the French Air and Space Force, and the French Navy. Airbus will also draw on its complex-systems integration and security know-how.
The first phase of the programme will provide the three armed forces with an initial operational capability for signals monitoring, with subsequent optional tranches to significantly increase the number of units in service. New functions (new data analytics functions for the information system, expanded detection and technical analysis capabilities, etc.) will be added incrementally over the term of the contract to provide the French armed forces with a set of state-of-the-art electronic warfare systems and capabilities.
1 PEM: Programme à Effet Majeur
2 MINREM: Moyen Interarmées Navalisé de Renseignement d’origine Electro Magnétique
3 ARCHANGE: Avion de Renseignement à CHArge utile de Nouvelle GEnération
4 CLOVIS: Capacité de LOcalisation à Vocation Interministérielle et Stratégique
5 DRM: Direction du Renseignement Militaire
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global high technology leader investing in digital and “deep tech” innovations –connectivity, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum technology – to build a future we can all trust, which is vital to the development of our societies. The company provides solutions, services and products that help its customers –businesses, organisations and states – in the defence, aeronautics, space, transportation and digital identity and security markets to fulfil their critical missions, by placing humans at the heart of the decision-making process.
With 83,000 employees in 68 countries, Thales generated sales of €19 billion in 2019 (on a basis including Gemalto over 12 months).
Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2019, it generated revenues of € 70 billion and employed a workforce of around 135,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world’s leading defence and space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.
PRESS CONTACT
Thales, Media relations
Land and Naval Defence
Faïza Zaroual
+33 (0)7 64 25 99 31
faiza.zaroual@thalesgroup.com
Airbus, Media relations
Fabienne Grazzini
+33 (0)6 76 08 39 72
fabienne.grazzini@airbus.com
Social media: @AirbusDefence
Websites: www.airbus.com and www.intelligence-airbusds.com
