French President visits Thales Australia

Thales Australia welcomed the President of France, François Hollande, to its facility at Rydalmere in NSW as part of a state visit.

Accompanied by Minister for Defence Senator David Johnston, President Hollande viewed the company’s world-leading underwater systems and sonar capabilities, now firmly established in Australia after 30 years of Thales and French Government transfer of technology, expertise and investment.

“Thales Australia was honoured to host President Hollande at our Rydalmere facility, a global centre of excellence for these technologies,” Thales Australia CEO Chris Jenkins said.

During the visit, the President and other VIPs including French Ambassador Christophe Lecourtier, Thales executive vice president Pierre Eric Pommellet and CEO of submarine manufacturer DCNS Herve Guillou, focused on Thales Australia’s manufacture of Scylla submarine sonars for Australia’s Collins Class submarines, including the latest Flank Array upgrades and integration capabilities for Sea 1000 Future Submarine systems.

“Thales today demonstrated to these important guests our comprehensive in-country capabilities that enable the upgrade of critical strategic systems and integration to technologies of Australia's partner nations such as the US,” Chris Jenkins added.

President Hollande’s visit follows the G20 Leaders' Summit held November 15-16 in Brisbane.