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, according to a report. Thales Chairman and CEO Patrice Caine revealed this to the Nikkei business daily, stating that the base will mark a milestone in Thales' long-term engagement in Japan.

The report suggests that this could be the first time a foreign defense company has set up a dedicated base in Japan for maintaining and operating Japanese defense equipment. The news comes as Japan's Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi is increasing defense spending to counter China's growing military strength and North Korea's unpredictable actions, moving away from traditional pacifism that limited the use of force to self-defense.

Thales already provides equipment to Japan's Self-Defense Forces. Caine mentioned that Thales may expand its Japan-based business to civilian use in the future, with potential areas of collaboration including radar and sonar technologies. He expressed hope to provide support in areas where Thales has a performance advantage, such as the production of the 2R2M heavy mortar system, which will begin in Japan from the following year, with Thales transferring its technology to partner Japan Steel Works.