Thales plays a major part in securing the future of UK Defence

Thales is one of the UK industry partners supporting the aims of the Defence Growth Partnership (DGP) and is leading a number of its initiatives.

The DGP Implementation Plan sets out a new way of working to improve the UK’s competitiveness, collaboration, international focus and in particular, build on the country’s strengths in air capabilities and intelligent systems for export led growth.

The launch was attended by Thales UK CEO Victor Chavez, who is chairing the Intelligent Systems team as part of the DGP. A number of Thales apprentices also attended the event in support of the DGP’s commitment to developing apprentice programmes across the UK.

Maritime focus

In Intelligent Systems, within the maritime domain, it was announced the DGP will launch a Portsmouth-based UK Centre for Maritime Intelligent Systems, including an initial programme for a Maritime Autonomous Systems Demonstrator.

In support of this, there will be a £1 million Maritime Autonomous Systems Technology Call, supported by Solent Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) and in partnership with Southampton University.

As Chair of the DGP’s Intelligent Systems team I am particularly pleased with the support of the Prime Minister, as expressed in his opening address at Farnborough, for the creation of a new UK Centre of Maritime Intelligent Systems." Victor Chavez, CEO Thales UK

"Intelligent Systems have the potential to deliver a paradigm shift in operational capability for our global customers.

"The UK has the opportunity to lead the world in next-generation Maritime Mission Systems (MMS) capability, delivering a broad range of solutions such as maritime security with mine counter measures and long duration intelligence gathering, as well as civil applications in the oil and gas sector and environmental monitoring."

A key area of capability will be delivered through modular open systems with certified, networked, maritime autonomous (MUxV) system solutions.

It was also announced a “start-up” phase will run until September 2015 and brings together a range of resources equivalent to more than £4 million, from interested companies in the defence sector including SMEs, Solent LEP, Southampton University and alignment with MoD research development funding.