ThomsonCSF

Thomson-CSF was a French multinational defense electronics company that designed and manufactured systems for aerospace, naval, and land forces. The firm specialized in radar and optronics, sonar and underwater systems, avionics, secure communications, and integrated sensor networks. It served military operators and government customers worldwide and was a leading contributor to Europe’s defense-industrial base.

The company traces its roots to mid-20th-century French electronics firms and matured through mergers and reorganizations that culminated in the Thomson-CSF name in the late 20th century. Through acquisitions and collaboration, it built a broad portfolio of sensing, guidance, and information systems for air, land platforms, and civilian applications. Its headquarters were in Paris.

In 2000, Thomson-CSF was renamed Thales, and became the core brand of the Thales Group, a global technology company focused on defense, security, and aerospace. The transition reflected a strategic shift toward an integrated systems approach and international growth. The Thomson-CSF legacy continues under Thales, which maintains a wide range of sensors, communications, and mission-systems capabilities.