French aerospace firm Thales has completed the acquisition of RUAG Simulation and Training for 90 million euros ($95.4 million).
The merger is expected to enlarge Thales’ footprint in the global defense market by providing new training and simulation solutions to enhance armed forces combat readiness.
It will also create new opportunities to accelerate the deployment of next-generation hybrid solutions that combine “world-class live and synthetic expertise.”
With the final transfer of ownership, Thales will take over the business activities of RUAG Simulation & Training and its 500 employees in Switzerland, France, Germany, and the UAE.
“This is a big and important step for RUAG Simulation & Training, for all employees as well as for the customers,” RUAG vice president Felix Ammann said. “Thanks to Thales’ many years of experience and global presence, the conditions are ideal for continuing and expanding the existing business activities.”
A ‘Timely’ Initiative
Thales vice president for training and simulation Peter Hitchcock described RUAG as a “major player in live training, covering everything from prime contractor responsibilities to the individual sensors used.”
By combining their expertise, he said that Thales and RUAG can accelerate the development of live and constructive training solutions to create the best possible training environments.
“This is timely because many armies are going through force modernization programs,” Hitchcock stressed. “They are introducing a step change in capabilities which also requires them to transform how they train on new equipment, vehicles, and C4I (Command, Control Communications, Computer, Intelligence) systems.”
