- Korean defence SME, SonarTech and Thales have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for joint in-depth research and development in mine warfare sonar systems.
- Thales Korea has also been awarded a Certificate of Commendation for its continued support and partnership with the Korean defence industry ecosystem.
- The collaboration underscores the strong commitment of Thales Korea to furthering the ambitions of the Korean defence sector and enabling local SMEs to bring their solutions to market.
As Korea continues to promote its defence industry, partnerships and growing local expertise become critically important. On the opening day of DX Korea 2022, SonarTech and Thales signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for joint research and development in mine warfare variable depth sonars for the next generation of Mine Counter Measure Vessels (MCMV).
Thales Korea was also honoured to receive a Certificate of Commendation from the Korea Research Institute for Defense Technology Planning and Advancement (KRIT) for its continued contributions to the Korean defence industry for close to forty years.
As the governmental research agency under the Korean Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA), KRIT undertakes the planning, management, and evaluation of defence technology that supports the Korean defence industry. KRIT’s launch of the Defense Industry Promotion Day highlights the importance of strong cooperation between international players like Thales and the Korean defence SME ecosystem. Through this MoU, Thales will provide its operational expertise in the field of high-frequency Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) for mine warfare sonar systems. SonarTech will bring its technical expertise in the field of underwater acoustic products and mine warfare hull-mounted sonar inboard electronics
Thales has been a long-term partner to the Korean armed forces, supplying equipment including radars, sonars and fire control systems to the Republic of Korea Navy (ROKN) since the early 1990s. Recognising the importance of building local capabilities, Thales has actively supported technical cooperation with local Korean partners and military research institutions including SonarTech and LIG Nex 1, by providing equipment, technology and engineering assistance to develop local equipment.
“We are pleased to partner with the Thales Group, which brings decades of expertise in underwater mine warfare capabilities and sonar technology. As a proud Korean company, we have industry-leading sonar equipment but we also bring a solid understanding of the needs of the Korean armed forces. This win-win partnership is a key example of how Korean companies can successfully make their mark in the global defense industry and help drive the Korean defense sector forward.” said PARK Seungsoo, Chief Executive Officer, SonarTech.
“Thales is honoured to receive this recognition from KRIT, for our commitments towards partnering with the Korean defence sector and developing local capabilities and expertise. Our presence in Korea dates back close to 40 years, and today, we are committed to helping the country build its local indigenous capabilities and support the armed forces as they modernize their capabilities. We look forward to a long-lasting partnership and to further engagement with other stakeholders in the ecosystem,” said Sandy GILLIO, Country Director, Thales Korea
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