The Paris-based company, which provides services for the aerospace, defence, transportation and security markets, launched a UAE unit in February
French defence electronics group Thales acquired Dutch data security firm Gemalto for €4.8 billion (Dh20bn), creating a technology and security giant employing 80,000 people globally.
With Gemalto, a global leader in digital identification and data protection, Thales has acquired complementary technologies with applications in five vertical markets – aerospace, space, ground transportation, digital security, and defence and security, said Patrice Caine, chairman and chief executive of Thales.
“The acquisition is a turning point … together, we are creating a giant in digital identity and security with the capabilities to compete in the big leagues worldwide,” said Mr Caine.
Following the acquisition, which was completed in 15 months, Gemalto becomes one of Thales’s seven global divisions and will be named Digital Identity and Security. Gemalto will work with the group’s civil and defence customers and will strengthen Thales industrial presence in 68 countries.
The combination creates a world leader with a portfolio of solutions based on technologies such as digital identity, biometrics, data protection and, more broadly, cybersecurity, added Mr Caine.
Incorporating the talent and technologies of Gemalto, Thales will develop solutions to address major challenges such as unmanned air traffic management, data and network cybersecurity, airport security and financial transaction security.
Thales, which counts the French government as its biggest single investor with a 26 per cent stake, plans to boost local content in the Middle East, which is among the company’s fastest growing regions, Pascale Sourisse, senior executive vice-president of international development at Thales, said in February. The company also hopes to grow the region’s 2,000-strong workforce by 20 per cent by 2020.
To focus more on the Middle East, the Paris-headquartered firm announced the launch of subsidiary Thales Emarat Technologies during the International Defence Exhibition and Conference (Idex) in Abu Dhabi this year.
The new company, which is 100 per cent owned by Thales, will focus on radar, radio communications and defence aerospace technologies.
Thales said the acquisition increases its revenues to €19bn and self-funded R&D to €1bn a year. The company will work with banks, telecoms firms, government agencies, utilities and others to help them tackle challenges such as the identification of individuals and objects and enhancing data security.
