Royal Commission for AlUla partnership for secure, safe and smart city development

• On October 25, 2023, during the Future Investment Initiative (FII) in Riyadh, Thales, global leader in advanced technologies, signed a strategic agreement with The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) to secure the heritage site and historical landmarks at Al Ula.
• Thales is providing the RCU with an integrated security system based on an AI enabled Smart Digital Platform and mission-critical communications to secure a number of major sites.
• In addition, Thales will support the ambitions of the RCU to become a global benchmark destination in sustainable development and a safe place to visit, live and work.

The newly signed strategic agreement brings a state-of-the-art security system designed for AlUla, with advanced technologies in secured communications, computer vision, early detection, access and video management. The Thales Smart Digital Platform seamlessly integrates all equipment and technologies to power the Integrated Smart Operations Centre in AlUla. An embedded video and audio analytics engine enables Thales’s platform to deliver an augmented situational awareness of major sites including the RCU Campus, the Old Town or the Museum.

This overall solution will provide operators with a sophisticated Command & Control capability for both a smart and safe tourist destination in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

This contract is an opportunity to showcase Thales's expertise in digital platforms, big data and artificial intelligence and to build an unrivalled experience for visitors.

“We are honoured to be part of this exceptional project, to contribute to the security and safety of this unique historical and tourist destination, AlUla, and to the quality of life of its inhabitants with advanced digital and integrated technologies. Drawing on its international and local expertise, Thales is committed to driving forward RCU’s smart and sustainable city development goals in line with the Saudi Vision 2030.” said Bernard Roux, CEO, Thales in Saudi Arabia & Central Asia.

The development of AlUla encompasses a broad range of initiatives across archaeology, education and the arts, reflecting the ambitious commitment to cultivate tourism and culture in Saudi Arabia, set out in the national Vision 2030 transformation programme.

The Royal Commission for AlUla and Thales are partnering to make AlUla a unique model of economic, social and environmental development with the best standards in the fields of security, sustainability and well-being for the city and its visitors.

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies within three domains: Defence & Security, Aeronautics & Space, and Digital Identity & Security. It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive.

The Group invests close to €4 billion a year in Research & Development, particularly in key areas such as quantum technologies, Edge computing, 6G and cybersecurity.

Thales has 77,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2022, the Group generated sales of €17.6 billion.