Thales opens Chennai development facility

European aerospace and defence information systems major Thales International has opened a software centre in Chennai under the banner of Thales Software India.

The new facility will start off with 83 engineers on its rolls skilled in developing critical information systems for the aerospace, defence and security markets.

The facility will serve as an inhouse software development centre that will provide services to Thales businesses worldwide, said Reynald Seznec, senior vice-president "� Operations, Thales Group.

Thales, which is expanding its operations in the country, will recruit 300 software engineers at the new facility by the end of 2008, Seznec said.

"Thales will utilise Chennai's highly skilled local workforce to address software demands for a diverse range of requirements for our businesses. With this facility, we are aiming to strengthen long-term customer relationships, maximise local commercial opportunities and develop access to local skills," he added. The company plans to employ 1,000 people at the new facility by 2010.

Thales' existing operations in Chennai employ 100 engineers. In the long term, it is set to become an R&D centre developing software to support the entire range of Thales Group-wide solutions. About €1 million has been invested in the Chennai operations till date, Thales officials said.

Thales is partner and supplier to many Indian companies within the fields of aerospace and security. In February this year, it won a $60-million order from Chennai-based Rudradev Aviation to configure simulation training equipment for Airbus 320, A330-200, Boeing 737-700 and 777-300ER aircraft.

"We will now develop much of this simulation equipment out of the new facility," Francois Dupont, country corporate director, Thales Software India, said.

Thales' range of operations spans product development, systems integration and services. It currently employs 70,000 people in 50 countries and generated revenues of €10.3 billion in 2006.

The company has been operating in India since 1953, with revenues of €300 million last year. It is a long-term supplier for the Indian Armed Forces.

Thales also won a major contract in 2005 from the Indian Navy for the supply and technology transfer of six Scorpene submarines.