French defense tech giant Thales and Norwegian defense supplier Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace have signed an agreement to set up a joint venture company in secure communications.
As disclosed, the companies have agreed to combine two of their businesses, Kongsberg’s secure communications unit and Thales’ crypto and secure communications business in Norway, in a joint venture.
The aim is to meet the growing connectivity needs of defence forces in Norway, NATO countries and other nations. This new company is a response to European armed forces’ call for greater interoperability, sovereignty, and the urgent need for large-scale equipment delivery.
The new company will be jointly owned 50/50 by Thales and Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and will be based across Oslo, Trondheim and Asker, Norway.
It will have a broader product mix with powerful and advanced systems.
Thales in Norway provides high-grade crypto networks and voice communication systems to NATO and other nations. Meanwhile, Kongsberg delivers tactical radio systems for the land domain (combat vehicles and soldiers) and tactical networks for many systems, including NASAMS air defense.
“By consolidating KONGSBERG’s secure communications and Thales’ crypto expertise, we will create a comprehensive, robust communications offering and be better positioned to deliver and develop current and future technologies and services to the armed forces,” said Eirik Lie , President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.
“Together, we can develop and sustain a broader and stronger product portfolio and domain expertise to create a solid partner for the Norwegian customer, while also gaining access to better market channels internationally, particularly with the support of Thales’ global distribution network,” Lie added.
“Through this jointly owned company, we will be able to strengthen collaboration and leverage synergies between KONGSBERG and Thales, creating a new key player in secure communications that supports bilateral cooperation between Norway and France,” said Christophe Salomon , Executive Vice President of Thales, Secure Communications & Information Systems.
“ The new company will be also particularly well-positioned to address markets where there are complementarities between Thales and KONGSBERG’s portfolio and geographical footprint .”