Kongsberg, Thales Partner On Secure Communications

KONGSBERG Defence & Aerospace’s tactical communications unit and Thales’ crypto and secure communications business in Norway will join forces to meet the growing connectivity needs of defence forces in Norway, NATO countries and other nations. This new company is a response to European armed forces’ call for greater interoperability, sovereignty, and the urgent need for large-scale equipment.

The new company will be owned 50/50 by Thales and Kongsberg and employ around 350 people in Oslo, Trondheim and Asker, Norway. Both businesses had combined revenues of about US$152 million in 2024. The venture anticipates continued growth, projecting that the combined businesses will achieve US$298m in revenue by the end of the decade, driven by substantial market opportunities and product synergies.

It will have a broader product mix with powerful and advanced systems. Thales in Norway provides high-grade crypto networks and voice communication systems while Kongsberg delivers tactical radio systems for the land domain (combat vehicles and soldiers) and tactical networks for many systems, including NASAMS air defence. Both companies have a strong history in their domestic defence and secure communications markets, with significant export potential.

“By consolidating Kongsberg’s secure communications and Thales’ crypto expertise, we will create a comprehensive, robust communications offering and be better positioned to deliver and develop current and future technologies and services to the armed forces,” said President of Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace Eirik Lie. “Together, we can develop and sustain a broader and stronger product portfolio and domain expertise to create a solid partner for the Norwegian customer, while also gaining access to better market channels internationally, particularly with the support of Thales’ global distribution network,” he added.

“Through this jointly owned company, we will be able to strengthen collaboration and leverage synergies between Kongsberg and Thales, creating a new key player in secure communications that supports bilateral cooperation between Norway and France. The new company will be particularly well-positioned to address markets where there are complementarities between Thales and Kongsberg’s portfolio and geographical footprint,” said Thales Secure Communications & Information Systems Executive Vice President Christophe Salomon.

The completion of the transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals.-shp/adj/dl (Pix:KONGSBERG)