Thales Unveils Game-Changing Innovations at the 25th International Armoured Vehicles Conference

The Thales Land division in the UK is preparing for its inaugural event of 2025 – the International Armoured Vehicles Conference (IAVC) – set to take place from Tuesday, January 21 to Thursday, January 23.

Now celebrating its 25th edition, Thales will be alongside over 1,400 participants from more than 50 countries at IAVC’s new venue, the Farnborough International Exhibition Centre. Thales will illustrate how it is providing a strategic edge in combat – both now and in the future.

During IAVC, Thales will be presenting:

• Bushmaster: Thales’ proven and highly versatile protected mobility vehicle – currently in use by 9 countries and effectively deployed in operations across the Middle East, Europe, Africa, and the Pacific. With continually evolving design improvements, Thales will be unveiling its most recent version (5.5), currently in service with the New Zealand Army, in the UK for the first time.

• DigitalCrew™: Thales’ innovative virtual crew member. Platform, domain, and sensor agnostic, DigitalCrew™ enhances situational awareness for troops in armored vehicles while alleviating the cognitive load on operators through its autonomous detection, tracking, and AI-driven classification capabilities.

Additionally, Thales will feature the Panoramic Above Armour Gimbal (PAAG) – a state-of-the-art 360-degree electronic surveillance and sighting system equipped with cutting-edge sensors that offer vehicle commanders and crews a vital tactical advantage on the battlefield.

Throughout the exhibition, Thales will be showcasing the sensors and digital innovations that lie at the core of the UK’s armored vehicle capabilities. This includes:

• PAAG on Moog’s Dingo vehicle.
• Orion and DNGS T3 sighting systems integrated with DigitalCrew™, along with local situational awareness systems, smoke grenade launchers, and the Acusonic shot detection method on the Ajax vehicle.
• The Kongsberg Remote Weapon Station – produced by Thales – integrated with the SharpView RWS Thermal Imager and SharpAim Laser Range Finder Module, plus Acusonic on the Boxer vehicle.

Jonathan Welch, Head of Sales OME (Optronics and Missile Electronics) at Thales, stated, “We’re thrilled to showcase our latest technological advancements at this pivotal international event for armored vehicle manufacturers.

“As mentioned at DVD 2024, the Army’s Land Mobility Programme is advancing rapidly, with the initial tenders being released. Therefore, IAVC 2025 represents an ideal opportunity to spotlight the reliable solutions Thales provides – including the highly versatile Bushmaster 5.5; the very vehicle delivered to the New Zealand Army in 2023.

“We anticipate welcoming our industry peers and members of the Armed Forces to our booths, and showcasing the capabilities Thales brings to the table.”

To experience these cutting-edge technologies firsthand or to schedule a meeting with the Thales team, reach out to Jonathan Welch at jonathan.welch@uk.thalesgroup.com, or visit the Thales stand at F4.