Thales is a France headquartered technology, electronic systems, services and equipment company recognized for Business Expansion, Innovation, Research and Development and Safety in the 2022 Railway Technology Excellence Awards.

The company has been working on securing contracts to upgrade infrastructure such as the Madrid-Seville high-speed route and the Chamartín station remodelling project, where it will modify the European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS Level 1 & 2), telecommunications and energy facilities at Chamartín Clara Campoamor station.

Systems installation was another key area for Thales during the research period. One example saw the company selected to develop and install a new signalling communications system on the East Coast Main Line, If successful, OKMS will be introduced across the UK under Network Rail’s long-term programme aimed at improving the country’s rail system. It also secured a $458m (€420m) contract from ProRail to deploy its European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) Central Safety System (CSS) in the Netherlands. Designed to replace analogue with digital, the software-driven CSS will help regulate the security of the railway centrally from the data centres of ProRail. Finally the company also secured a contract for an integrated control centre in Malaysia.

Thales has also been working on providing support and engineering services for the Metro Manila Subway and the Montreal Metro Network, where it has secured a contract extension from Canadian public transport agency Société de transport de Montréal (STM) to deliver new computer-based interlocking systems to a further eight metro stations.

The company has also been working with a partner in Egypt to upgrade signalling and telecommunication, overhaul tracks, and duplicate two railway lines. It was also awarded a contract for the delivery of axle counting systems for new European Rail Traffic Management System (ERTMS) railway lines.

In terms of research and development the company has been hard at work to develop a Robust Train Positioning System network to improve and enhance safety for the UK railway network, a system that provides accurate train positioning data and a digital map of the track to improve the UK railway safety and efficiency.

Company Profile

Thales is a provider of smart technologies, electronic systems, software, space, ground transportation, services and equipment to the aerospace, defense, and security markets. It provides air traffic management systems, navigation solutions, flight deck, avionics equipment, flight avionics, electrical systems, and training solutions for the aerospace industry. 

The company also provides weapon systems, protection systems, radio communications products, network and infrastructure systems, critical information systems and cybersecurity solutions for the land, naval and air defense markets. Thales also offers maintenance, repair and training services. 

The company’s business operations span across the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa. Thales is headquartered in Paris, Ile-de-France, France.