French technology giant Thales sets up shop in Noida

LUCKNOW: Four months after Microsoft set up its biggest north India hub in Uttar Pradesh, French technology giant Thales opened its state of-the-art corporate office in Noida on Monday and is slated to play a pivotal role in the upcoming defence industrial corridor in the state.

MSME and export promotion minister Siddharth Nath Singh, who virtually inaugurated Thales’ new office, said, the global defence manufacturing giant has tied up with MKU Kanpur to produce night vision radars for the Indian army and has been manufacturing advanced devices for Rafale fighter jets.

The minister said, Thales’ arrival in Uttar Pradesh confirms the state’s immense potential for defence production and proves that global brands which would head south are now choosing UP as a major investment destination. “First, it was Microsoft and now Thales,” said the minister.

The $20bn French firm, which is working in the field of technology with Indian companies, including HAL, BHEL, L&T will contribute to digital identity and security business and support Uttar Pradesh in developing technology and promote local skill development, he further said.

‘Thales to fulfil PM’s dream to make India atmanirbhar’

“The company has taken forward its commitment made during the Defence Expo in Uttar Pradesh,” he said.“Chief minister Yogi Aditynath’s efforts in ease of doing business has dramatically improved the state’s ranking from 12th to second in four years and results have begun showing. Thales’ technology transfer to indigenous companies would fulfil PM Narendra Modi’s dream and chief minister’s efforts to make India “atma nirbhar” (self reliant) in defence production, he said.Thales India, country head, Emmanuel de Roquefeuil, said, “We are excited about the opportunity to manufactures devices like radar, electronics voice system, cockpit display system, power generation system for air convoys like Rafale. In addition, defence, aeronautics, space, transportation are also contributing to digital identity and security market.”French ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenain, representative of Thales Group of India, Africa and Central Asia Jean Marc Budin also participated in the event. The MSME minister has been pursuing foreign companies to set up industrial units, campuses and offices in Uttar Pradesh and has held over 12 video conferencing meets with over 100 companies straddling 15 countries in last few months to market state’s industrial potential.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/noida/french-technology-giant-thales-sets-up-shop-in-noida/articleshow/79381262.cms