France based global leader in advanced technologies, Thales, is specialised in three business domains: Defence, Aerospace and Cyber and Digital. It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive.
The Group which invests close to EUR4 billion a year in Research and Development, particularly in key innovation areas such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, cloud technologies and 6G will for the first time in India showcase its innovation in avionics through the FlytX suite for helicopters, in advanced aeronautics navigation systems such as TopAxyz, TopShield and TopStar M.
Connectivity solutions such as SYNAPS-A, the airborne member of the SYNAPS software-defined radio family designed to support battlespace digitisation, Modem 21 Air Compact, and the NextW@ve TRA 6030 radio, will also be brought to the 15th edition of Aero India 2025 giving business leaders, customers and visitors a glimpse of the latest technological advances made by the company.
The Aero India 2025 provides an opportunity to Thales to present advanced defence and aerospace innovations, reinforcing its ‘Make in India’ commitment. In support of the modernisation and indigenisation ambitions of the Indian armed forces, Thales will reinforce its commitment to ‘Make in India for India and for the world’, as well as the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat‘ vision.
Thales will showcase its cutting-edge technologies across the defence and aerospace sectors offering a comprehensive array of capabilities and services designed to support the Indian armed forces in attaining operational excellence. The French company will showcase its latest capabilities- across air, land and naval defence as well as space, cyber and digital – that are tailored for modern and future needs of the forces.
Thales provides state-of-the-art equipment on board fighter aircraft, including the RBE2 AESA radar, the Spectra electronic warfare suite, optronics, the communication, navigation and identification suite (CNI), key cockpit display systems and a logistics support component. The Thales stand at Aero India 2025 will have a dedicated section on these capabilities.
Thales will also highlight its combat-proven airborne optronics, including TALIOS (Targeting Long-range Identification Optronic System) pod, the 2-in-1 system that delivers unmatched image quality, and the InfraRed Search and Track (IRST) system. Also on display will be Thales’s air defence solutions such as the Lightweight Multi-role Missile (LMM), the STARStreak missile and ForceShield, alongside air surveillance capabilities such as the GM 200 MM/A radar and the SkyView air command and control system.
As a leader in the fast-growing market of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), Thales will provide an overview of its portfolio of drone solutions, including its EagleShield drone countermeasures (an integrated nano, micro, mini and small drone countermeasures solution to protect and secure civil and military sites); the PARADE system that provides 360-degree protection of people, properties and activities, optimised for micro and mini UAS, ranging from 100g to 25kg; and Gamekeeper (a holographic radar that allows detection, tracking and classification of unlimited targets simultaneously including micro and mini drones), in addition to its safe and efficient UTM (Unmanned Traffic Management) system for cooperative and non-cooperative drones, to be unveiled for the first time in India.
Thales will also present its LGR 68 and LGR 70 Laser Guided Rockets that come with laser guidance precision, are jamming-proof and are extremely precise for guiding ammunition to target.
As part of its underwater solutions for efficient Maritime Security Operations, Thales will feature its Sonoflash sonobuoy, an anti-submarine warfare system that allows the detection, classification and localisation of submarines. It will also showcase the AirMaster C radar- the latest addition to its Air Master range of airborne surveillance radars -that is highly adaptable and can be integrated into both manned and unmanned airborne platforms.
Thales is a major AI player in these complex environments. The company is Europe’s top patent applicant in the field and devotes a lot of effort to research on AI, both in-house and through academic and industry partnerships. The Group, a major player in trusted AI, provides armed forces with greater efficiency in data analysis and decision-making, while taking into account the specific constraints, such as cybersecurity, embeddability and frugality, associated with critical environments.
In keeping with its plans of expansion in India for its engineering centres in Bengaluru and Noida, Thales executives will meet engineers and share various possible career opportunities available.
“As India progresses towards its Aatmanirbhar Bharat vision, Thales is proud to be a trusted partner in the nation’s ambitious journey,” said Pascale Sourisse, President & CEO, Thales International.
The company which has been in India since 1953, is headquartered in Noida and has other operational offices and sites spread across Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai, among others. Over 2200 employees are working with Thales and its joint ventures in India. Since the beginning, Thales has been playing an essential role in India’s growth story by sharing its technologies and expertise in Defence, Aerospace and Cybersecurity and Digital Identity markets.
Thales has two engineering competence centres in India – one in Noida focused on Cybersecurity and Digital Identity business, while the one in Bengaluru focuses on hardware, software and systems engineering capabilities for both the civil and defence sectors, serving global needs.
Thales booth at Aero India 2025 will have on display, SYNAPS-A, airborne member of SYNAPS family which will be available in a standard ARINC 600 housing qualified for operation in the most demanding airborne environments.
With its extended multi-band/multi-mode capabilities, SYNAPS-A is the ideal building brick for the flexible multi-channel V/UHF communication system required by all types of aircraft, whatever their missions and context of operation.
SYNAPS-A provides the high RF performance levels required in the field, including high output power, high sensitivity and SIMO (Dual Rx/Antenna diversity) to extend communication range and spatial coverage. Embedded agile co-site filters facilitate EMC integration and allow simultaneous multi- channel operation.
Crypto capabilities can be provided by the optional NATO SYNAPS-A is also compatible with standard NATO crypto devices such as KY-100/M or equivalent. SYNAPS-A features an ATC capability developed in accordance with DO178C/DO254 DAL C to facilitate aircraft safety certification for flying in general aviation airspace.
– The writer is a senior journalist and media consultant. The views expressed are of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of Raksha Anirveda.
