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Thales develops first chemical & biological response vehicle for DGA

12 September 2006

Thales has developed the first chemical & biological response vehicle for the French defence procurement agency DGA. The vehicle was recently handed over to the national CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) unit of the French Gendarmerie by DGA.

In late 2003, Thales won the DGA contract under the French Government's Biotox/Piratox CBRN response programme to develop a mobile laboratory vehicle for deployment in areas contaminated by biological or chemical agents. The vehicle is designed to allow operators to gather data on the actual and potential hazards encountered in the zones concerned, and was developed in strict compliance with current standards to guarantee the protection of personnel and the environment.

The response vehicle is equipped with an array of instruments to allow an initial analysis to be made in the field. Samples of suspect materials can also be taken, and transported to specialist facilities for detailed analysis. These capabilities allow authorities to rapidly implement emergency response and decontamination measures to protect deployed forces as well as populations.

Thales draws on its dual expertise in defence and security to propose a comprehensive range of CBRN detection, reconnaissance, identification and command solutions for both civil and military customers. Thales's powerful development capabilities derive from its stable of teams specialising in biotechnology, molecular biology, microbiology, analytical chemistry and nuclear/radiological science.

Thales's expertise in prime contracting, combined with its R&D capabilities, enable it to propose tried-and-tested solutions for defence, civil security and public safety applications, such as CBRN reconnaissance vehicles, integration of portable/onboard CBRN detection systems and unmanned vehicles, deployable networks of monitoring and alarm equipment, mobile and field laboratories, CBRN command posts, and medical equipment for treatment of victims.

The CBRN response vehicle project recently completed on behalf of the DGA further underscores the Group's capabilities in the design and long-term maintenance of CBRN detection and identification systems. Thales's customers in this segment include the armed forces of several European countries.

About Thales
Thales's Security Systems business line designs, delivers and integrates high-technology solutions to protect critical infrastructures for local authorities and corporate and government customers worldwide. These solutions cover all aspects of security, including site and event security, security operation and crisis management centres, secure identification solutions, information system security and environmental security. The company's comprehensive services offering ranges from security consulting, architecture definition and complex systems integration to complete turnkey solutions including the design, installation, operation and maintenance of security systems.