Thales and Arab International Optronics (AIO) have expanded their long-standing partnership to accelerate Egypt’s ambitions in technological sovereignty, innovation, and regional leadership. Building on more than 50 years of cooperation, the strengthened alliance brings together over 800 engineers and specialists to develop advanced “Made in Egypt” solutions across multiple strategic sectors.
The enhanced collaboration spans six key domains. A central element is the creation of the Thales Academy in Egypt, which will provide certified training in optronics, cybersecurity, AI, telecommunications, and radar for military, government, and civilian institutions. The academy will also foster academic cooperation between Egyptian and European universities.
In defence innovation, the partners will jointly develop an upgrade kit for heavy armoured vehicles, enhance AIO’s RCWS with a laser-guided rocket variant, and supply Egypt’s armed forces with an integrated surveillance solution combining Thales ground radar and handheld thermal imagers. A new service centre within AIO facilities will support Thales thermal imaging equipment deployed in Egypt.
The partnership also strengthens supply-chain integration by incorporating AIO components into Thales’ global ecosystem, boosting competitiveness while expanding Egypt’s industrial capabilities.
Sherif Barakat, CEO of Thales in Egypt, said the reinforced partnership reflects a shared commitment to transforming Egypt into a regional technology hub capable of producing and exporting high-value, locally engineered solutions.
