"ReArm Europe is as much about producing more as it is about ensuring long-term operational effectiveness"

What triggered the need for Thales' ReArm Europe initiative, and why is it critical now?

Europe is undergoing a structural shift in its defence posture. The war in Ukraine was the catalyst, but the acceleration goes beyond a single conflict. NATO’s renewed expectations for European countries to meet their defence spending commitments, growing geopolitical instability and increasing calls for Europe to take greater responsibility for its own security have fundamentally changed the strategic landscape.

With initiatives such as the EU's Readiness 2030, launched in March 2025, and increased national defence budgets – in some cases targeting 3 to 5% of GDP – the urgency is clear: Europe is preparing for a new level of defence readiness by 2030, moving from a peace-dividend mindset to a preparedness mindset.

The question is no longer if Europe must strengthen its defence capabilities. It is how fast it can do so.

What does being “ready by 2030” actually mean?

It means strenghtening capabilities across all domains: land, air, sea, space and cyber, which are deeply interconnected. To be ready by 2030, Europe must strengthen air defence, sensor networks, electronic warfare, cyber resilience, drone and counter-drone capabilities, space telecommunications and surveillance, naval capabilities… while ensuring full interoperability between allied forces.

It also means reducing structural dependencies, particularly in areas where Europe still relies heavily on non-European assets.

How is Thales responding to this acceleration?

As a major defence actor present across more than 20 European countries, Thales has launched its “ReArm Europe” task force to address three key priorities.

First, meet urgent acquisition needs, particularly for countries geographically exposed to current tensions. We must be able to deliver proven, operational systems quickly and in larger quantities.

Second, contribute to the closing of existing capability gaps while investing in next-generation technologies – from AI-enabled systems to cyber capabilities and autonomous platforms – that will define future superiority.

Third, work together with European industries to deliver highly efficient solutions based on the best technologies available within Europe, while strengthening the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base (EDTIB).

ReArm Europe is as much about producing more as it is about ensuring long-term operational effectiveness.
 

Scaling “in quantity and fast” sounds ambitious. What does that require?

It requires a profound industrial transformation.

Thales has already seen exponential ramp-ups across multiple product lines, particularly in munitions and radars, as well as in communications and naval systems. It also includes supporting programmes such as the Rafale, whose production continues to scale up to serve demand in both Europe and outside Europe.

At the same time, we are scaling our workforce. After recruiting around 8,000 people in 2024 and a similar number in 2025, we are planning to recruit 9000 people in 2026. The competition for talent across many areas of the research, development and production cycle is intense.

Beyond hiring, scaling requires investment in industrial infrastructure and strengthening supply chain resilience. We are actively reducing critical dependencies, diversifying sourcing and, where necessary, localising key components. For example, we are strengthening our internal capabilities in printed circuit boards and supporting semiconductor localisation in France through partnerships with companies such as Foxconn and Radiall.

This isn't just about scaling up, it's about ensuring our supply chains remain operational even if logistics networks are compromised in times of crisis.

How do you address European demands for sovereignty and local industry?

This is a fundamental dimension of rearmament.

Countries investing heavily in defence understandably expect not only operational capability but also industrial return – jobs, know-how and sovereign control over key technologies. 

Thales supports this through localisation strategies and long-term partnerships. In many cases, this means developing industrial footprints within the country, transferring expertise, or building strong collaborations with national industries.

The objective is not simply to export equipment but to strengthen Europe’s broader defence industrial and technological base country by country, while maintaining efficiency and performance.
 

European defence cooperation is often complex. What makes it work?

Cooperation only works when it is performance-driven. Effective cooperation means combining complementary strengths to bring the best value to the customers.

Thales has extensive experience in European cooperation programmes. Examples include the SAMP/T programme in partnership with MBDA in France and Italy, and the MMCM programme with BAE Systems and Saab in France and the United Kingdom.

We also participate in strategic partnerships through joint ventures, such as collaborations with Kongsberg in Norway and Diehl in Germany, and numerous technology initiatives supported by the European Defence Fund.

These experiences show that success depends on selecting the right partners, maintaining technological excellence, and ensuring that efficiency remains central. We need to deepen this cooperation, as such we are calling for new partners to join and build future capabilities together.
 

Thales recently announced the launch of SkyDefender. What does this mean for European defence readiness?

SkyDefender is a multi-layer, multi-domain Integrated Air and Missile Defence system providing full protection against all types of air threats, on land, at sea and in space - from a few kilometres to several thousands of kilometres.

SkyDefender addresses three major shifts in Europe’s security environment. First, its layered architecture responds to complex, multi-domain threats, Second, it’s an open, scalable system that connects within existing national assets, supporting interoperability and long-term capability evolution. Third, by integrating capabilities across partners, technologies and national systems, SkyDefender supports a more connected and cooperative sovereign defence capability for Europe.

Innovation is often cited as critical. What are your priority areas?

Innovation is decisive because technological cycles are accelerating.

I can mention four major areas:

1. Accelerating decision making and weapons engagement 

Artificial intelligence and data processing are key enablers for countering new threats.

AI is already integrated into systems ranging from smart radars to mine-warfare platforms, as well as command systems such as C2 and C4I architectures. AI is also at the core of Thales’ integral air and missile defence dome: SkyDefender. Through initiatives such as cortAIx, which brings together hundreds of AI specialists across the Group, we are accelerating trusted AI integration into defence systems.

2. Expanding operational mass through autonomous systems

Autonomous platforms allow armed forces to increase operational mass while protecting personnel. This trend is already visible in ISR UAV capabilities such as Peregrine, Noctua and CURCO, as well as in maritime mine counter-measures and loitering munitions.

3. Maintain core capabilities in contested environments.

Modern conflicts increasingly rely on electronic warfare, with adversaries attempting to deny access to communications and jam radar systems.

Innovation is therefore essential to develop resilient communications and sensing capabilities capable of operating in saturated or degraded environments. Systems must be distributed, resilient and capable of functioning under extreme stress. For example, this is exactly the purpose of our Drakon Solution for resilient communications, Sea Fire and Ground master radars, Sentinel and Vigile D digital electronic Warfare.

4. Detect, protect, recover and respond against any Cyber threat

Data and connectivity are central to modern warfare. Without strong cyber protection, technological advantage can quickly become vulnerability. Cybersecurity must evolve in parallel with AI and data exploitation.

In this area, we recently qualified the first sovereign cloud platform, Premiens, through our joint venture Lens.

Thales is uniquely positioned to accelerate these innovations because we operate across all five operational domains – land, air, sea, space and cyber – with deep expertise in each. This breadth is a decisive advantage.

Modern conflicts are inherently multi-domain. Superiority depends on seamless integration across all environments. Future systems must therefore not only excel individually but also operate coherently across domains, enabling truly collaborative combat. This cross-domain mastery must underpin the next generation of European defence innovation.
 

Defence development is often criticised as too slow. How can it move faster?

Speed and reliability are not mutually exclusive.

One key approach is incremental capability delivery. Instead of waiting for a “perfect” system, we deliver operationally viable capabilities early, gather feedback from forces, and iterate rapidly. Our software architectures already allow agile cycles, with frequent updates integrating operational feedback. This shortens validation loops and ensures systems evolve in step with real-world needs.

We also leverage system health data to anticipate maintenance needs and improve availability. The objective is simple: remain close to the user and adapt continuously.

What would success look like for ReArm Europe?

Success means that European countries armed forces are confident in their equipment: their performance, availability and resilience.

It means having built long lasting trust between industry and armed forces, enabling rapid adaptation as threats evolve.

Ultimately, success will be measured not in budgets or production figures, but in readiness, sustainability and operational superiority.