Thales has been selected by the French Army to assure through-life support of a sizeable proportion of its radio-controlled IED jammers deployed in external theatres of operation.

This contract confirms Thales's positioning as a key and unifying player within European industry, in the field of providing services to the armed forces. In particular, Thales benefits from its expertise in the management of complex supply chains and its capacity to work alongside these forces, into theatres of operation.

Roadside bombs, known as Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) constitute a major threat in current conflicts: they kill or injure thousands of soldiers each year. Vehicles equipped with electronic defence systems can prevent these bombs from exploding when triggered remotely. Consequently, the smooth functioning of these defence systems represents an issue of vital importance.

This is the context in which SIMMT has selected Thales to maintain a significant proportion of the radio-controlled IED jammers deployed by the French Army in foreign operations. Several contracts, including one awarded to Thales, provide for 400 jammers produced by various manufacturers to be maintained, for a 5-year period.

This service comprises two main components.

Firstly, Thales provides operational support for the forces present in theatres of operation, via the presence of its qualified staff in theatre. This training, which lasts for one year, is intended to develop the operators' technical skills, and make them more self-reliant vis-a-vis their equipment, so that they can carry out advanced maintenance tasks themselves.

Secondly, Thales provides an end-to-end procurement and logistics service for jammer sub‑assemblies between France and any external operations zones in which the country's armed services are involved. This service provides guaranteed availability of equipment in any situation.

"Combating the threat of IEDs is a key priority for the forces present in theatre. Several hundred attacks happen monthly, especially in Afghanistan", explains Laurent Maury, Thales Vice-President, in charge of Customer Support and Services activities. "Via this support services contract, Thales is actively collaborating with the forces present in external theatres of operation, by making its logistics resources and technical skills available to them, to whatever extent is required."

Thales
20.04.2011