Thales sees opportunity for growth in U.S. market

Thales is seeing new ways to bolster its presence in the U.S. defense market, according to a top strategy executive.

Jacob Markish, vice president of strategy, marketing and corporate development at Thales North America, told Inside Defense late last month the company is a relatively small player here.

But, "we recognize today, maybe more than in the past, there’s a lot more opportunity," he said.

The driver, Markish told Inside Defense, is "multiple areas of defense where there’s a whole new set of threats and technologies."

He pointed to defense electronics and undersea warfare as examples of changing markets where Thales can offer new technology.

Markish said Thales has used acquisitions to bolster its capabilities in key areas. For example, the company in June picked up Psibernetix, an artificial intelligence business.

Thales is also looking to partnerships, such as the joint venture it formed with Raytheon, he noted.

Meanwhile, Thales' U.S. defense and security business this year also added three new board members to help it enhance its U.S. reach.

The company's board now includes retired Marine Corps Gen. James Jones; former Lockheed Martin executive Ray Johnson; and former Thales executive Alan Kessler.