“Thales and Airbus Join Forces to Craft Cutting-Edge Digital Maps for France’s Defence”
Thales and Airbus Defence & Space Win Key Contract for Geospatial Data
The National Institute of Geographic and Forest Information (IGN) has awarded Thales and Airbus Defence & Space a significant contract on April 5th to provide the French Ministry of Defence with a comprehensive digital geographic data database. This initiative aims to enhance mapping precision through various scales, including detailed city maps. The project primarily utilizes images from the Pléiades satellites, substantially improving the accuracy of the maps produced. Running from 2016 to 2021, this contract ensures uniform geometry and formatting of essential reference mapping data to maximize interoperability between various systems used by the French Ministry of Defence, as well as among allied forces.
This partnership signifies the IGN’s continued trust in the Thales-Airbus consortium, which has been operational for over a decade. They previously developed TopoBase Défense, now eclipsed by GeoMaps. This project forms a crucial component of the GEODE 4D program, which integrates four-dimensional defense data encompassing geographical, hydrographic, oceanographic, and meteorological information. This initiative is designed to equip the French armed forces with thorough insights regarding their operational environment.
The implementation of GeoMaps will empower the French Military Staff to produce high-value data tailored to the evolving challenges faced by defense forces. The focus is on maintaining highly accurate and regularly updated multi-scale geographical data, crucial for operations ranging from national to urban levels. Data production areas will be strategically defined based on the specific requirements of the armed forces.
The consortium will oversee the entire process, from assessing the Military Staff’s needs to ensuring quality control on delivered products. This comprehensive oversight includes managing specifications, defining production frameworks, and collaborating with a vast network of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to ensure consistent and unified data quality.
Bernhard Brenner, Head of Intelligence Business Cluster at Airbus Defence & Space, expressed pride in the consortium’s recognition, highlighting the importance of their expertise and the specialized knowledge of French SMEs involved. “The accuracy of the data we provide is essential for the success of operations conducted by the French armed forces, particularly in combating terrorism,” he stated.
Jean-Michel Lagarde, Deputy General Manager of Secure Communications and Information Systems, also emphasized Thales’s commitment as a reliable partner in the military and security sector. He noted, “With GeoMaps, we offer critical support in operational theaters, delivering high-value data tailored to varied operational demands. In the context of asymmetrical conflicts, having access to precise geographical data provides a significant tactical edge on the ground.”
