Thales Australia – part of the French-based Thales Group a major player in the defence sector in both France and Australia – has its order book at the ready.
The group has had a long relationship – and a 35 per cent shareholding – with the French firm DCNS which won the contract after an international competitive evaluation process conducted by the Department of Defence.
DCNS’ Shortfin Barracuda beat Japan's Soryu-class and German firm TKMS' Type-216 submarines for the highly-prized contract.
Thales’ sonar systems were crucial components in building the French navy’s nuclear powered Barracuda attack submarine on which the diesel-electric propelled Shortfin Barracuda would be designed for the RAN.
DCNS asserts that the Shortfin Barracuda would be equipped with the world’s most powerful sonar ever produced for a conventional submarine.
Thales Australia, a major defence contractor in Australia headquartered at Sydney Olympic Park, has 250 staff making a wide range of products including maritime and underwater systems at its Rydalmere facility.
Thales, which traces its origins in Australia back to the 1890s, is a provider of systems, products and services in both commercial and defence areas, has 3200 employees in 35 facilities across the nation.
