French defense company Thales plans to establish a base in Japan to maintain and support equipment used by the country’s Self-Defense Forces, Japan Times reported.
The facility would be the first dedicated Japanese defense equipment maintenance and operational support base established by a foreign defense company in the country, according to the newspaper.
Thales Chairman and CEO Patrice Caine outlined the plans in an interview with local news.
The company already supplies equipment to Japan’s military and could eventually extend the base’s activities to civilian applications.
Thales also plans to transfer technology to its partner Japan Steel Works, with Japanese production of the 2R2M heavy mortar system scheduled to begin in 2027.
Caine identified radar and sonar as other potential areas for technology cooperation with Japan.
Recent Thales Partnerships
Thales has recently pursued several partnerships in Asia and Europe focused on military communications and local weapons production.
Last month, the company opened a “Connectivity Lab” in Ballerup, Denmark, with the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation.
The facility allows engineers and military personnel to test communications technologies under realistic conditions and integrate them with existing equipment.
In September, Thales also signed an agreement in India with Kalyani Strategic Systems Limited to explore local production of unguided and laser-guided 70-millimeter (2.75-inch) rockets.
The partnership covers technology transfer, assembly, and distribution, with the first locally assembled system targeted for early 2027.
