French defense firm Thales to build Japan base

French defense firm Thales plans to establish a maintenance and operational support base in Japan, marking the first such move by a foreign company in the country, the Nikkei reported on Monday. Thales Chairman and CEO Patrice Caine informed the Nikkei that this base represents a significant milestone in Thales' long-term commitment to Japan. This development is believed to be the first time a foreign defense company has set up a dedicated base in Japan specifically for maintaining and operating Japanese defense equipment.

The report suggests that Thales may also extend its Japan-based business to include civilian applications in the future. The move aligns with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's recent decision to increase defense spending amid China's growing military capabilities and the unpredictable situation in North Korea. Takaichi's policy shift represents a departure from Japan's traditional pacifist stance, which had previously restricted the use of force to self-defense.

Thales currently supplies equipment to Japan's Self-Defense Forces. According to Caine, Thales could potentially share technologies such as radar and sonar with Japan, leveraging its technological advantages in performance. The company intends to transfer its technology to partner Japan Steel Works, with the production of the 2R2M heavy mortar system set to commence in Japan from the following year, as reported by the Nikkei.