Thales and AIO Strengthen Partnership to Advance Egypt’s Technology Sovereignty and Innovation

Thales, a global leader in Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital technologies, and Arab International Optronics (AIO), a prominent Egyptian tech solutions provider, have reinforced their long-standing collaboration to drive Egypt’s technological growth, sovereignty, and regional leadership.

CAIRO, Egypt, 3 December 2025-/African Media Agency(AMA)/- The renewed partnership leverages the expertise of over 800 dedicated engineers and professionals to develop “Made in Egypt” solutions, enhancing Egypt’s technological capabilities across both military and civilian sectors.

Expanding Training and Knowledge Transfer

A key component of the collaboration is the establishment of the Thales Academy in Egypt. This technology collaboration center will provide certified training programs in optronics, cybersecurity, Artificial Intelligence (AI), radio telecommunications, and radar systems. The Academy also fosters cooperation between Egyptian and French universities, strengthening the national talent pool and supporting Egypt’s technological self-reliance.

Advanced Defense and Surveillance Systems

The partnership covers six major domains:

• Fire Control Systems (FCS): Upgrading heavy armored vehicles with advanced optronics sighting solutions and AIO expertise to enhance battlefield efficiency.

• Remote Controlled Weapon Systems (RCWS): Developing laser-guided rocket versions of AIO’s X29 system using Thales’ precision technologies.

• Surveillance Solutions: Deploying combat-proven ground radar and Hand-Held Thermal Imager (HHTI) solutions for rapid threat detection and identification.

• Service Centre: Establishing an on-site service center within AIO facilities to support Thales HHTI devices used by Egyptian forces.

• Supply Chain Integration: Deepening collaboration to integrate AIO components into Thales’ supply chain, increasing competitiveness and enhancing local industrial capabilities.

Driving Egypt’s Technology Future

Sherif Barakat, CEO of Thales in Egypt, stated:
“With this strengthened partnership with AIO, Thales is proud to contribute to Egypt’s technological sovereignty. By anchoring advanced solutions locally, our collaboration will transform Egypt into a regional technology hub capable of producing and exporting high-value solutions.”

About Arab International Optronics (AIO)

AIO, established by the Egyptian Armed Forces, manufactures essential optical and electro-optical equipment, including advanced laser systems, precision electronics, and integrated weapon systems. With nine state-of-the-art factories, AIO also supports the national economy by exporting products to allied nations, generating valuable foreign currency.

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) operates in 68 countries with over 83,000 employees. In 2024, Thales generated €20.6 billion in sales, investing more than €4 billion in R&D annually. Its portfolio spans critical technologies such as Egypt cybersecurity technology, AI, quantum computing, and cloud solutions, addressing global challenges in sovereignty, security, and sustainability.

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This story was first reported by African Media Agency (AMA). Read the full article here.