Company / Unmanned Systems
Thales
French technology group supplying sensors, radars and counter-UAS systems as well as the Watchkeeper and Spy'Ranger unmanned aircraft.
Meudon (Paris), FranceUnmanned Systems systems
About the company
About Thales
Thales is a French multinational headquartered in Meudon near Paris. It took its present name in 2000 as the successor of Thomson-CSF and operates in defence, aerospace, cybersecurity and digital identity, with more than 80,000 employees in over 60 countries.
In unmanned systems Thales built the Watchkeeper WK450 tactical UAS for the British Army, derived from the Elbit Hermes 450, and produces the Spy'Ranger mini-UAS for the French Army. Its Ground Master radar family and EagleShield counter-UAS solution detect and classify small drones for the protection of airports, events and military sites.
Thales also develops unmanned surface and underwater vehicles for mine countermeasures and provides UTM and air traffic management software.
In the news38 stories
XL-UGV Bladehaul: Thales Australia and 3ME Technology make the Bushmaster driverless
Ten tonnes of payload, hybrid drive, power for field hospitals: the XL-UGV Bladehaul from Thales Australia and 3ME Technology is being built in Bendigo and Newcastle on the basis of the Bushmaster – as a transporter, command post or carrier for counter-UAS.
Thales in Switzerland and Austria: Matthias Zoller becomes Vice President and Country Director
After his time as Secretary General of SWISS ASD, Matthias Zoller is moving to Thales, where he will be responsible for two markets. Who will succeed him at the industry association Swissmem is still open.
Unmanned ground vehicles with a driver's seat: Eiselin Landsystems shows Sand-X DOV at the KSK symposium
Drive it crewed, control it remotely from a backpack or let it run autonomously: at the KSK symposium, Eiselin Landsystems uses the Sand-X DOV to show how unmanned ground vehicles for the “last 100 miles” can be designed – operable from minus 45 to plus 50 degrees Celsius.
Counter-UAS with jet trainers: Slovakia wants the Aero L-39NG Skyfox as a drone hunter too
Counter-UAS as an additional task for the new jet trainer: Slovakia’s last two L-39 Albatros reach the end of their service life at the end of 2026, and Minister Kaliňák is promoting armed L-39NG Skyfox. The opposition misses a transparent procedure.
Autonomous rescue vehicle Taros Medic: VOP CZ unveils its new system at NATO Days in Ostrava
On show to a large audience for the first time: an autonomous rescue vehicle called Taros Medic is at the centre of VOP CZ’s presence in Ostrava. The Czech company is also bringing proven equipment and further new products.
Rapid Ranger from Thales: Ukrainian III Corps shows British air defence system
On Facebook, the “Aquila” regiment of Ukraine's 3rd Army Corps offers a look at its Rapid Ranger from Thales UK. The lightweight system with Martlet missiles is designed to close gaps between mobile fire groups and heavy air defence.
Counter-drone defence with the Rafale: DGA completes integration of laser-guided 68-millimetre rockets
Low-cost counter-drone defence instead of expensive MICA missiles: Rafale pilots are to engage drones such as Shahed types with 68-millimetre guided rockets in future. Ladac has completed testing, and an initial partial capability will follow shortly.
Unmanned surface vessels for ASW frigates: Netherlands awards design to Dutch Naval Design
Twelve metres long, one per ASW frigate: unmanned surface vessels are being designed for the Royal Netherlands Navy. Dutch Naval Design has won the contract, and dipping sonars from Thales have been procured in parallel.
Counter-UAS with a 70-millimetre rocket: Thales Belgium shows Proxy at Eurosatory 2026
At Eurosatory 2026, 70-millimetre rocket launchers were everywhere. There, Thales Belgium showed for the first time the seeker of Proxy, a counter-UAS rocket in the low five-figure price range – some details the company left open.
Fire Point: how the Ukrainian manufacturer strikes targets deep inside Russia with FP-1, FP-2 and Flamingo
An FP-1 hit a refinery in Tyumen, 2,400 kilometres away: within around four years, Fire Point has grown into a manufacturer of long-range drones, cruise missiles and missiles. An overview of FP-1, FP-2, Flamingo and the partnerships in Europe.
MALE drone Enbata: Thales to supply radar and electronic warfare for Aura Aero
The AirMaster C radar and electronic warfare solutions from Thales have been selected for Aura Aero’s MALE drone Enbata. The project is supported by the French Ministry of the Armed Forces and the DGA; the first flight is to take place in 2026.
Counter-UAS against swarms: EOS and MARSS rely on “human on the loop”
The acquisition by EOS creates a supplier of turnkey counter-UAS solutions. Founder Johannes Pinl explains why humans only supervise during swarm attacks – and what role lasers, cost logic and interceptor drones play.
Counter-UAS on wheels: GDELS shows Pandur with laser, radar and Valhalla turret at Eurosatory
Acoustic sensors, a high-energy laser from Cilas and the Mangart 25 turret: at Eurosatory, GDELS combined counter-UAS capabilities on a Pandur 6×6. Whether this will lead to procurement remains open – Slovenia is said to be very interested.
Loitering munition Toutatis: Thales and Renault aim to build up to 1,000 units a month from 2027
Loitering munitions in mass production: France is relying on Renault's manufacturing experience to build Thales' Toutatis kamikaze drone in large numbers. The goal is a sovereign French drone industry.
Military drone Camcopter S-301: Thales shows Schiebel system with weapons and sensors at Eurosatory 2026
Missiles, loitering munition, radar and ELINT: at the Thales stand in Paris, Schiebel's Camcopter S-301 military drone is shown with a whole range of payloads. The modular platform carries up to 350 kilograms and stays airborne for up to 24 hours.
Counter-UAS and air defence in focus: “DroneVation & Defence 2026” continues to grow in Vienna
More than 1,000 visitors, two stages, talks by the Bundesheer, industry and Ukrainian practitioners: the symposium in Vienna spanned counter-UAS, electronic warfare and the lessons learned from Ukraine.
Counter-UAS with 70 mm rockets: Belgian F-16s test the FZ275 LGR, which the Bundesheer is also receiving
For counter-UAS use, the Belgian Luchtmacht has tested Thales Belgium's FZ275 LGR guided rocket on F-16s near Lombardsijde on the North Sea coast. This is relevant for Austria: the same weapon is to arm the Bundesheer's AW169MA and M-346FA.
Drone manufacturer Schiebel plans Schiebel UK: expansion into the British defence sector
Momentum comes from the Peregrine programme with Thales UK and the Royal Navy: drone manufacturer Schiebel intends to set up its own company in the United Kingdom, manufacture there and bring the Camcopter S-300 to market.
Drone trade fair in Vienna: “DroneVation & Defence” returns for its second edition on 21 May
After 49 exhibitors and around 700 trade visitors at the premiere, organiser Militär Aktuell expects more exhibitors and almost twice as many sponsors for the second “DroneVation & Defence” drone trade fair. The programme expands to two stages.
Counter-drone defence with APKWS II: BAE Systems wins US Air Force contract for new rocket variant
Laser plus infrared in the seeker: BAE Systems is to deliver a new variant of the APKWS II rocket for counter-drone defence. The ceiling is around 122 million euros, the delivery order around 56 million. The European counterpart used by Austria's Bundesheer is also being developed further.
Droneshield: Michael Powell takes over operational leadership as Chief Operating Officer
Droneshield is reshaping its operational leadership for the next phase of growth. The new Chief Operating Officer, Michael Powell, brings more than 25 years of leadership experience, including at Thales Australia and Knorr-Bremse.
Combat drone Camcopter S-301: Schiebel shows armed version in the Middle East for the first time
Rocket launchers and laser-guided missiles from Thales, up to 24 hours of endurance: at UMEX 2026 in Abu Dhabi, Schiebel presented the Camcopter S-301 combat drone – an unmanned helicopter system.
Drone training in live simulation: Thales adds drone scenarios to its training solution
Friendly or hostile drone: with a new drone training function in its live simulators, Thales aims to prepare armed forces for changing operational conditions. A kit makes drones from a few hundred grams to several dozen kilograms ready for exercises.
Counter-UAS by jet: Aero Vodochody shows L-39 Skyfox as drone hunter
After Embraer with the A-29 Super Tucano, Aero Vodochody is now equipping its jet trainer for counter-UAS. At the Dubai Air Show, the L-39 Skyfox is on display with rockets, machine-gun pods and sensor pods.
Unmanned systems at “Repmus 2025”: Schiebel flies Camcopter S-100 in Portuguese Navy NATO exercise
Signals intelligence, AI anomaly detection and control directly from the Tacticos console: at “Repmus 2025”, Schiebel tested its Camcopter S-100 with several payloads. The focus: how unmanned systems can be integrated into modern combat management systems.
Military drone for electronic warfare: Thales and Autonomous Devices show EW-UAS1 at DSEI
Jamming, deception, passive surveillance: the EW-UAS1 military drone is to give naval and land forces a flying platform for electronic warfare – initially intended to protect warships against anti-ship missiles.
Unmanned Systems / Maritime DronesUnderwater drone Remus 620 receives Thales Samdis 600 sonar for mine clearance
An underwater drone from HII, the Remus 620, now works with a sonar from Thales: both companies report that integration has been completed. The focus is on mine countermeasures and the protection of maritime infrastructure.
Surveillance drone MAPS: Skydweller integrates Thales AI radar Air Master-S
Airborne for weeks to months, with a payload of up to 400 kilograms: Thales is now supplying the MAPS surveillance drone with a radar that calibrates itself and classifies targets using artificial intelligence.
Loitering munition MTO-LP1: Thales and Mistral subsidiary Boreal agree on joint production
A range of several hundred kilometres, ready for launch in under 30 minutes: Thales and Boreal plan to produce the MTO-LP1 loitering munition together. First flight tests are scheduled for summer 2025.
Unmanned Systems / Aerial DronesMALE drone Aarok: Turgis Gaillard and Thales build French ISR platform with AirMaster S
A MALE drone made entirely in France, equipped with an AI-supported AESA radar: Turgis Gaillard and Thales combine the Aarok with the AirMaster S, which has already proven itself on the “Atlantique 2”.
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Thales auf der „DroneVation & Defence 2025” in Wien
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