Thales to open what could be Japan’s first foreign-run defence maintenance base
The facility could be the first in Japan set up by a foreign defence company to maintain military equipment and support its operation, according to Nikkei.
Thales SA, a French defence company, plans to set up a maintenance and operational support base in Japan, according to a Nikkei report. The company's chairman and CEO, Patrice Caine, announced that this milestone could mark Thales' long-term engagement in Japan. The base, if established, could be the first foreign-run defence facility in Japan to maintain and support military equipment, according to the report.
Initially, the base will focus on equipment for the Maritime Self-Defence Force, with plans to extend its services to the Ground and Air Self-Defence Forces. Thales aims to utilize its expertise in technologies such as radar and sonar to provide support in areas where it has a performance advantage. The facility's scope could also extend to civilian equipment in the future.
This venture comes amid Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's efforts to boost defence spending, spurred by China's rapid military expansion and North Korea's weapons programmes. Thales is also expanding its local production, with plans to transfer technology for its 2R2M heavy mortar system to Japan Steel Works, which will start manufacturing it in Japan in 2027, as per the report.
Thales has been operating in Japan since 1970, offering a range of services in defence, aerospace, and digital security. The company's share price in Paris rose by approximately 1.5% on Monday.
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