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Thales wins upgrade contract of the German Navy's F122 and F123 frigates

22 September 2005

Wilhelmshaven. The German Navy and Thales, the international electronics and systems group, have signed a contract for the full modernisation and overhaul of the firepower command and control systems of the Navy's F122 and F123 frigates. Eight F122s and four F123s will be refitted, together with the associated naval command ground stations in Wilhelmshaven. The contract is worth €70 million.

Under the modernisation programme, all the outdated firepower command and control systems will be replaced by high-performance IT equipment and modern display consoles. The contract includes command software and the integration of all sensors, weapons and communications systems. Thales will also coordinate the naval construction activities included in the programme.

The F122 and F123 class frigates date back to the early 1980s and 1990s. The changing requirements and missions of European navies call for the frigates' capabilities to be upgraded and adapted. The programme focuses on intelligence, command, control and participation in integrated joint and allied operations worldwide. This contract is the only significant modernisation programme currently planned for the German Navy.

In keeping with tradition, Thales Deutschland and Thales Nederland are working together on this contract. With its cross-border competencies and expertise, Thales has been the major supplier of modern radars (sensor technology) and combat management systems for the German Navy for the past ten years. Furthermore, other industrial partners and shipyards in Northern Germany will be involved as subcontractors.

This project will create significant value in Germany and sustain over 150 highly qualified jobs in Northern Germany over the next 6 years.

"This contract reflects the cooperation and mutual trust in the working relationship between the German Navy and Thales," said Klaus D. Rettig, head of Thales Deutschland. "This relationship has been developed over many years and we are glad to be able to further reinforce it with the frigate modernisation programme. Thales won this contract against strong competition, proving that our Group is the European market leader in the field of complex naval systems."

About Thales

Thales is an international electronics and systems group serving defence, aerospace, security and services markets worldwide. The Group employs 60,000 people throughout the world and generated revenues of 10.3 billion euros in 2004.

Press contact :
Markus Leutert
Tel : + 33 (0) 1 57 77 86 26
markus.leutert@thalesgroup.com