France picks Airbus and Thales to deliver future digital battlefield solutions
Ten-year project will see development of new joint tactical SIGINT system.
Defence procurement agency DGA has awarded Airbus and Thales ten-year contract for a new joint tactical SIGINT system for all branches of the French Armed Forces, combining critical signals monitoring, direction finding and spectrum analysis capabilities.
The French MoD is giving the new programme the same status as the Contact tactical radio and Scorpion vehicle procurement initiatives.
Airbus and Thales will once again combine their respective experience on strategic ELINT and SIGINT projects to equip the French army, navy and air force with a common information system and enhanced tactical electronic support measures, while also upgrading the EW capabilities of frontline units.
‘All three armed forces will rely on the same logistics infrastructure to simplify training of specialist operators and optimise through-life support delivery,’ Airbus noted in an 11 February announcement.
It added: ‘The new system to monitor and localise enemy communications will support tactical manoeuvres in the theatre of operations.’
Airbus and Thales will develop an initial signals monitoring capability, with subsequent optional tranches to significantly increase the number of units in service. New functions will be added incrementally over the term of the contract.
Tactical SIGINT systems will equip electronic support vehicles used by the 54th Signals Regiment of the French Army, French Navy combat vessels and the Atlantique 2 maritime patrol aircraft. They could also be deployed to protect air bases on military operations overseas, Airbus noted.
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