Thales Awards Landmark Rafale Programme Contract Supporting India’s Defence Localisation Goals

Thales’ SEVP Operations & Performance Philippe Knoche with Thales’ VP Global Procurement for Engineering and for India & AMEWA Deepak Talwar with SFO Technologies’ Chairman & Managing Director N Jehangir and Sr. Corporate VP, Strategic Business Development UM Shafi at the signing ceremony in Bengaluru ©Thales

(IN BRIEF) Thales has awarded its first major order for the production of complex wired structures for the Rafale programme to be manufactured in India in partnership with SFO Technologies. The contract supports the localisation of advanced RBE2 AESA radar sub-systems and strengthens India’s defence manufacturing capabilities under the Make in India initiative. Building on a long-standing partnership, the programme expands local expertise from precision machining and wiring to complex systems integration, while reinforcing Thales’ commitment to India’s strategic self-reliance and industrial growth in the defence sector.

(PRESS RELEASE) BENGALURU, India, 15-Dec-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — Thales has secured a first major order for the production of high-value, technologically advanced complex wired structures in India for the Dassault Aviation Rafale programme, marking a significant milestone in the localisation of critical defence systems. Awarded in partnership with SFO Technologies, the contract covers complex wired structures for the RBE2 AESA radar used on the Indian Rafale and is designed to withstand demanding operational and environmental conditions.

The order represents an important step in Thales’ long-term commitment to India’s Make in India and defence self-reliance objectives. By expanding local production of advanced radar sub-systems, the partnership strengthens India’s indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem while deepening the long-standing collaboration between Thales and SFO Technologies across multiple strategic programmes. It also supports the development of local expertise across a wide spectrum, from precision machining and wiring to electronics, microelectronics and complex systems integration.

This first order follows India’s recent decision to procure 26 Rafale aircraft for the Indian Navy and reinforces Thales’ role as a key member of the Dassault Aviation Rafale industrial team. Through its localisation roadmap, Thales continues to work closely with Indian partners to deliver advanced capabilities to the Indian Armed Forces while building sustainable, high-value manufacturing capacity within the country.

The partnership with SFO Technologies highlights the importance of trusted local suppliers in delivering complex, mission-critical defence equipment. By combining Thales’ global technology leadership with SFO’s manufacturing and engineering capabilities, the programme is expected to enhance quality, reliability and on-time delivery, while also supporting skilled employment and future export potential from India.

Together, Thales and SFO Technologies aim to set new benchmarks for operational excellence in defence manufacturing, reinforcing India’s position as an increasingly important hub for advanced aerospace and defence production.

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 addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

The Group invests more than €4 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 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.

About Thales in India

Present in India since 1953, Thales is headquartered in Noida and has other operational offices and sites spread across Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru and Mumbai, among others. Over 2300 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 Cyber & Digital sectors. Thales has two engineering competence centres (ECCs) in India – one in Noida focused on Cyber & Digital 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 has also established an MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) facility in Gurugram to provide comprehensive avionics maintenance and repair services to Indian airlines.

About SFO Technologies

SFO, a NeST Group company, is a 35-year-old high-tech, end-to-end solution provider, headquartered in Kochi, India. With 22 factories across the globe and over 8,000 employees, SFO offers hardware design, software development, and vertically integrated manufacturing of mission-critical and life-critical equipment for the defense, aerospace, space, healthcare, industrial, and transportation sectors.

PRESS CONTACTS

Thales, Media relations

pressroom@thalesgroup.com

Thales, Communications in India

Pawandeep Kaur, Communications Director, Thales in India

pawandeep.kaur@thalesgroup.com

SFO Technologies Media relations

SFO Technologies Pvt Ltd

Thomas Abrahm

thomas.abraham@nestgroup.net

SOURCE: Thales