New Thales and Leonardo Programme Strengthens NATO Special Operations Communications and Cyber Resilience

New Thales and Leonardo Programme Strengthens NATO Special Operations Communications and Cyber Resilience

(IN BRIEF) The NATO Communications and Information Agency has selected Thales and Leonardo to deliver secure deployable communication and information systems for NATO Allied Special Operations Forces Command. The contract covers six deployable headquarters systems, training and support. The new capability will include rapidly deployable IT infrastructure, resilient communications, high-performance computing, secure mission-data exchange, stronger cybersecurity and real-time Full Motion Video sharing between deployable systems. The programme is the first phase of a broader NATO effort to strengthen Special Operations Forces communications and command capabilities through scalable, upgradeable and interoperable technology.

(PRESS RELEASE) LA DÉFENSE, 6-Jul-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — The NATO Communications and Information Agency has chosen a Thales–Leonardo consortium to provide new deployable communication and information systems for the Allied Special Operations Forces Command.

The award is the first project within a wider NATO programme designed to strengthen the secure digital infrastructure available to Special Operations Forces and improve the Alliance’s ability to operate in complex, high-risk environments.

Under the contract, Thales and Leonardo will supply and support six deployable headquarters systems known as Deployable Points of Presence for Special Operations Component Commands, or DPOP SOCC.

The systems are intended to provide NATO Special Forces with secure, mobile command-and-control capabilities that can be deployed rapidly and used in demanding operational settings. The consortium will also deliver user training to support the transition of the systems into service under the leadership of NCIA.

The new DPOP SOCC capability will combine secure information technology, resilient communications and high-performance computing within a reduced physical and electromagnetic footprint. This is intended to allow Special Operations Forces to establish operational headquarters quickly while limiting their visibility and maintaining secure access to mission-critical services.

The solution will provide a protected multi-domain environment for exchanging operational information. It is also designed to support interoperability between NATO systems, strengthen cybersecurity and enable reliable communications across different operational theatres.

A key element of the programme is the introduction of real-time Full Motion Video sharing between separate deployable systems. The capability is expected to improve situational awareness and help Special Forces teams share live visual information during operations.

Thales and Leonardo will provide systems designed for long-term operation, maintenance and future upgrades. The partners will also deliver training and support services to help NATO users adopt and operate the technology effectively over its lifecycle.

The programme combines French and Italian industrial expertise with technologies and capabilities drawn from across the NATO Alliance, including contributions from the United Kingdom and Germany.

Alexandre Bottero, Vice President of Networks and Infrastructure Systems at Thales, said the programme brings together Thales’ experience in secure communication systems and NATO architectures with Leonardo’s deployable command-post capabilities.

Antonio Levato, Senior Vice President of Air and Land Systems Land and Sea Business at Leonardo Electronics, said Leonardo’s operational experience in modular command-post systems and its role in Italian military programmes will support the delivery of scalable, NATO-ready solutions.

The project is intended to provide the foundation for a wider secure communications and information environment for NATO Special Operations Forces, combining mobility, resilience, interoperability and protection against evolving cyber and operational threats.

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services helps address several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

The Group allocates €4.5 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Quantum and Cloud technologies.

Thales has more than 85,000 employees in 65 countries. In 2025, the Group generated sales of €22.1 billion.

About Leonardo

Leonardo is an international industrial group that develops multi-domain technological capabilities for global security. A key player in the major strategic programmes in Aerospace, Defence and Security, it employs over 62,000 people worldwide and operates in the Electronics, Helicopters, Aircraft, Cyber & Security and Space sectors. The company has a significant industrial presence in Italy, the United Kingdom, Poland and the United States, and is active in 150 countries also through subsidiaries, joint ventures and investees. Leonardo is a technological and industrial partner to Governments, Defence Administrations, Institutions and businesses. Listed on the Milan Stock Exchange (LDO), in 2025 Leonardo recorded new orders of €23.8 billion, an order backlog of €46.6 billion and consolidated revenues of €19.5 billion. Included in the MIB ESG Index, the company has also been part of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) since 2010.

Media Contacts:

Marion Bonnet, Thales Media Relations
marion.bonnet@thalesgroup.com
+33 6 60 38 48 92

Leonardo, Press office
PH: +39 06 32473313
leonardopressoffice@leonardo.com

SOURCE: Thales