Thales
A global technology leader that designs, develops, and manufactures advanced electrical systems and provides services for the aerospace, defense, transportation, and security markets, leveraging additive manufacturing for critical components.
- CEO / Founder
- Patrice Caine
- Team Size
- 10000+
- Stage
- Public
- Total Funding
- Publicly Traded
- Key Investors
- French State, Dassault Aviation
Technology & Products
Key Products
3D printed satellite antenna supports, Additive manufactured components for defense systems, Lightweight and complex aerospace parts, Customized components for transportation and security systems
Technological Advantage
The use of additive manufacturing allows Thales to produce lighter, more complex, and higher-performing components, such as satellite parts and defense systems, leading to reduced costs, shorter production times, and enhanced product capabilities.
Patent position
Thales filed 1 patent family in 2022-2024, down from 9 in 2019-2021, a fall of 89%; tracked AM filings in the same patent offices fell 30%. AMPulse analysis
- Filing momentum
- 1 families filed 2022–2024, 9 in 2019–2021 (-89%); all tracked AM filings in the same offices -30%
- Filed in
- US 77%EP 18%WO 14%CN 5%
22 AM patent families in total. Recent years are still being published, so read a filing change against the same-office figure.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Delivering innovative, high-technology solutions that enable customers to make critical decisions and achieve the best outcomes in complex environments.
How They Differentiate
Thales differentiates itself through its broad portfolio of dual-use (civil and military) technologies, a strong global presence with a focus on research-driven innovation, and its leadership in digital and deep tech integration.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Governments, defense organizations, and corporations in the aerospace, defense, space, transportation, and security sectors.
Industry Verticals
Aerospace, Defense, Space, Transportation, Security
Competitors
BAE Systems; Leonardo S.p.A.; Raytheon Technologies
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Revenue of €22.1 billion in 2025, with an order intake of €25.3 billion and an order book of €53.3 billion. Q1 2026 sales reached €5.3 billion (9.7% organic growth). Company raised 2026 financial targets in July 2026.
Major Milestones
2017: Acquisition of Gemalto, a global leader in digital security., 2019: Divestment of nCipher to Entrust as part of the Gemalto acquisition., 2023: Acquisition of Imperva, a US-based cybersecurity company, for $3.6 billion., 2024: Acquisition of GetSAT, a satellite telecommunications provider., 2024: Presented new strategic roadmap for accelerated growth through 2028., 2025: Record full-year sales of €22.1 billion and order intake of €25.3 billion., 2025: Signed MoU with Airbus and Leonardo to combine space activities into a new joint venture., 2026: Q1 results show €5.3 billion sales, 9.7% organic growth year-over-year., 2026: Raised 2026 financial targets in July despite €450 million charge from F126 program termination., 2026: Announced acquisition of Gorgé family's 35.51% stake in Exail Technologies for €134 per share (€3.9 billion total value), with planned tender offer for 100% of the company., 2026: Thales and Exail signed their tender-offer agreement on July 30, advancing the planned acquisition., 2026: Thales issued a €1 billion bond on August 20 to finance the planned Exail acquisition.
Notable Customers
French Ministry of Defence; UK Ministry of Defence; European Space Agency
AM patents
AM-relevant patents linked to this company.
- Patents
- 25
- Granted
- 7
- Families
- 22
Leading domains: process (25), material (13), application (12)
Filings by year: 2022: 1 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 3 · 2017: 1 · 2015: 9 · 2014: 1
- Additive manufacturing method for an avionic equipment10234475 · US
- METHOD FOR FABRICATING AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE COMPRISING A RADIO-FREQUENCY RESONATOR CONNECTED TO A PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD03038118 · EP
- 3-D object comprising a sandwich of one or more composite layers, of one or more layers of metal patterns and optionally of one or more layers of possibly dense polymers for electromagnetic applications in antennas and/or radomes12496774 · US
- Avionic equipment heating10183753 · US
- Mechanical-thermal structure suitable for a space environment09841241 · US
Equipment deals on record
Publicly disclosed purchases or installs only.
- FormUp 350 (quad lasers)
1 systems · Not disclosed
Buyer: Thales 3D Morocco (Thales Group subsidiary) · Supplier: AddUp