Rosoboronexport and Thales agree to closer naval co-operation

摘要

France's Thales and Russian defence export body Rosoboronexport have agreed to amend an existing memorandum of understanding (MoU) for co-operation in the naval field.rnThe agreement marks the latest in a series of accords between the two countries, as French companies look to new markets through Russia. Moscow has a long-standing strategy of closing its technological gaps through partnerships with Western organisations.rnMarc Darmon, senior vice-president of Thales and head of the naval division, and Igor Sevastianov, deputy general director of Rosoboronexport, signed the latest agreement at the IMDS exhibition in St Petersburg on 26 June with a view to "opening co-operation in the naval domain". The pair have worked together sincern1994, when Thales participated in efforts to equip an Su-27 Flanker prototype with Sextant avionics.rnIt is estimated that - as of 2008 - half of the Sukhoi-manufactured Su-30MKI combat aircraft sold in global export markets were equipped with Thales systems.