The partnership spans six key areas, notably the launch of a Thales Academy, government and civilian sectors in AI, cybersecurity, radar, optronics and radio communications.
Thales has announced an expanded partnership with Arab International Optronics (AIO), reinforcing a collaboration that supports Egypt’s long-term ambitions for technological independence, innovation and regional leadership.
For more than five decades, Thales has been a trusted partner of the Arab Republic of Egypt, contributing to national strategies focused on growth and sovereignty. The renewed partnership builds on this foundation, drawing on the expertise of more than 800 engineers and specialists to advance ‘Made in Egypt’ technologies and solutions.
Under the strengthened agreement, Thales and AIO will deepen cooperation across six key areas, beginning with the establishment of a Thales Training Academy in Egypt. This centre will be dedicated to developing the skills of Egyptian military personnel, government entities and civilian institutions in fields such as optronics, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, radio telecommunications and radar. Certified courses will be delivered by Thales experts, supported by extended collaboration between Egyptian and French academic institutions.
The partnership also includes joint advancements in fire control systems, with both sides working on an upgrade kit for heavy armoured vehicles by combining AIOs expertise with Thales optronics capabilities. In the field of remote-controlled weapon systems, the companies will co-develop a laser-guided rocket version of AIOs X29 system, bringing together AIOs RCWS knowledge and Thales experience in laser-guided technologies.
In the surveillance domain, Thales will supply Egypts armed forces with a combat-proven solution integrating ground radar and handheld thermal imagers, operated through a unified command-and-control system for rapid threat detection and identification. Additionally, a dedicated service centre will be developed within AIO facilities to support Thales thermal imaging devices deployed across Egyptian forces.
The partnership further expands into supply chain cooperation, enabling AIO to integrate more of its components into Thales global production lines. This move is expected to strengthen AIOs industrial capabilities while enhancing Thales competitiveness and product throughput.
Sherif Barakat, CEO Thales in Egypt, said: “With the reinforcement of this strong partnership with AIO, Thales in Egypt proud to contribute to the technological sovereignty of Egypt. By further anchoring Thales’ advanced solutions within Egypt, both our companies are committed to transforming Egypt into a regional technology hub, capable of supporting and exporting high-value, locally produced solutions to Egypt and other markets.”
AIO, a long-established national industrial institution created by the Egyptian Armed Forces, plays a central role in meeting Egypt’s military and civilian needs through its production of optical and electro-optical equipment across nine advanced manufacturing facilities.
