Elena Buturlim20:22, 06/19/24
The company has already signed three agreements with representatives of the Ukrainian defense sector.
Thales, an international industrial group with an office in France, specializing in defense equipment, signed three agreements with representatives of Ukrainian industry under the auspices of the French Ministry of the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Strategic Industries of Ukraine at the Eurosatory exhibition. The company’s press service reported this .
It is noted that the agreements are aimed at strengthening operational support for front-line operations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and strengthening local defense potential. Two agreements concern one of the enterprises of Ukrainian Defense Industry JSC.
Thus, the first agreement announces Thales’ intention to establish a joint venture in Ukraine that will contribute to the supply and operation of equipment for the group’s defense systems portfolio, including electronic warfare equipment, as well as tactical communications equipment, air defense systems and radars.
The company emphasized that the second agreement concerns electronic warfare equipment, under which Thales will provide extensive maintenance, testing and specialized training. This agreement aims to develop local maintenance capabilities in Ukraine, which will shorten repair and maintenance cycles and ensure operational readiness.
At the same time, in a separate, third agreement signed with the Ukrainian company FRDM, specializing in UAVs, Thales intends to jointly develop and manufacture an unmanned aerial vehicle capable of transporting and releasing ammunition.
“Thales is a long-standing partner of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, having worked with them for over 10 years, first in the field of electronic warfare, and then expanding cooperation to a wide range of programs. In the short term, these agreements further strengthen Thales’ support in ensuring the combat readiness of the Ukrainian Armed Forces,” – said Pascal Souriss, Senior Executive Vice President for International Development at Thales.
It is worth noting that Thales Group specializes in aviation, defence, security and land transport and is based in Paris. On February 24, 2022, with the start of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Thales shares rose almost 60%
Interest of the world defense industry in Ukraine
JSC “Ukrainian Defense Industry” and the global defense giant Rheinmetall launched the first workshop in Ukraine for the repair and production of armored vehicles within the framework of the established joint venture.
In general, the German defense concern Rheinmetall plans to open an air defense enterprise in Ukraine . It takes at least a year to launch.
(C)UNIAN 2024
Speaking of France, here’s what French Army Chief of Staff Gen. Pierre Schill has to say about the future when it comes to small drones. Right or wrong – who knows?
https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2024/06/19/small-drones-will-soon-lose-combat-advantage-french-army-chief-says/
The general is leaning way out the window on this. I would refrain from making any predictions about drones in the future. Things could go either way, drones being immune to EW, or EW being overpowering. My opinion on this is that most likely, there will be a tit-for-tat between drones and EW, much like aircraft and air defense, or tanks and antitank weapons.
Sure, many, maybe most drones are currently being rendered inoperable by EW. However, they are so cheap! When they do get a mission accomplished, especially when the target is worth tens or hundreds of millions, they are well worth the cost and effort.
To say outright that drones have no future is a bit foolish.