
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
The consortium formed by Sabena technics and Thales has been awarded a contract for the upgrade of the French Air and Space Force's fleet of CN-235 twin-turboprop tactical transport and logistics aircraft.
The 27 CN-235s will be upgraded with state-of-the-art avionics to allow integration into general air traffic, significantly enhance capabilities for tactical and public service operations, increase fleet availability and extend service life to 2040 and beyond.
The first upgraded CN-235s will begin operations with the Air and Space Force in 2027.
Morgane VALLE / Arm e de l'air & de lEspace / D fenseThe CN-235 is used for tactical missions to drop paratroopers or equipment and for public service operations such as medical evacuation and can be deployed rapidly into theatres of operations. The CN-235's new state-of-the-art and intuitive avionics will meet the standards of the Single European Sky and enable French forces to integrate into non-segregated airspace with no restrictions and conduct their missions quickly and efficiently. The improved reliability of the new equipment suite will also improve fleet availability and extend the service life of the aircraft.
The complementary expertise of Thales and Sabena technics enable the consortium to provide an effective response to the requirements of tactical operations today. As consortium leader, Sabena technics will perform the mechanical and electrical modifications and integrate the avionics equipment. In addition to supplying the TopStarC GPS receiver and inertial navigation system, Thales will also provide latest-generation avionics derived from its TopDeck suite used on the ATR 72-600 commercial passenger aircraft.TopDeck is certified and flight-proven on nearly 800 civil and military platforms. Its simple and intuitive interface reduces pilot workload, enabling air crews to focus on their core tasks. The upgraded CN-235s will also feature the latest-generation Thales radio altimeter, which is immune to 5G interference, to ensure safe, high-performance navigation.
Thales facilities in Bordeaux, Brive, Ch tellerault, Toulouse, Valence and Vend me, and the Sabena technics site in Dinard, will be involved in the upgrade of the French Air and Space Force's CN-235 fleet.
This major project to upgrade the avionics of the CN-235 aircraft brings the French Air and Space Force significant operational benefits and Sabena technics is particularly proud to be taking part. The partnership with Thales is the latest illustration of our ability to work together efficiently and make the most of our complementary areas of expertise. This contract consolidates the major role that Sabena technics is playing on the CN-235 programme by combining this major modification with our work as prime contractor for through-life support. Philippe Rochet, Chairman, Sabena technics
Thanks to close cooperation between the DGA, Air and Space Force, Sabena technics and Thales teams, the upgrade of the CN-235 avionics will give French forces a new technological edge. The enhanced capabilities, higher fleet availability and a lifetime extension beyond 2040 will bring real operational benefits to the French armed forces. Yannick Assouad, Executive Vice-President Avionics, Thales.
Documents
Sabena technics and Thales to upgrade CN-235 tactical transport and logistics aircraft for French Air and Space Force.pdf
Contact
Anne-Sophie Malot, Group & Innovation
+33 (0)6 31 62 01 60 anne-sophie.malot@thalesgroup.com
Alice Pruvot, Group and Innovation
+33 7 70 27 11 37 alice.pruvot@thalesgroup.com
02 Feb 2023
Thales will supply 66 ground surveillance stations to the Brazilian Air Navigation Service Provider for increased commercial flight safety
Read more
02 Feb 2023
The ANGA programme and NIGCOMSAT Ltd, in conjunction with Nigerian Airspace Management Agency and Thales Alenia Space, accelerate SBAS development in aviation in Africa through flight demonstrations at Nnamdi Azikwe International Airport, Abuja-Nigeria
Read more
02 Feb 2023
AURA AERO and Thales collaborate to decarbonate regional aviation by developing connected avionics solutions
Read more
More from Thales
30/04/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thales has secured a major contract to modernise...
29/04/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
In a world where identity fraud represents a critical vulnerability for citizens and societies, Thales is leading the transforma...
25/04/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Enhancing Data Protection and Governance Service...
24/04/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Order intake: 3.8 billion, down -25% (-27% on an organic basis1)
Sales: 5.0 billion, up 12.2% ( 9.9% on an organic basis)
A...
23/04/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Enables Michelin to focus on development of its ...
22/04/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
The Technologies for Existing and Future Main Ba...
17/04/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thursday, 17 April 2025 - The next step has now been taken in the Franco-German armaments project Main Ground Combat System (MGC...
16/04/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
In order to enhance satellite performance and mi...
14/04/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thales has been selected by NATO to deliver phas...
08/04/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thales
Thales subsidiary, Thales Defense &...
08/04/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thales revolutionizes inflight TV with 360Stream...
07/04/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (F r...
07/04/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thales is a global leader in inertial navigation...
03/04/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thales, a global leader in advanced technologies...
03/04/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
The new flight training centre features Thales...
02/04/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Strengthening Europe's critical navigation infrastructure thanks to EGNOS satellite-based augmentation system Cannes, April ...
01/04/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and...
31/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Presented for the first time at SOFINS1, PANORAMIC is a lightweight, compact night vision goggle equipped with four light intens...
31/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
The French defence procurement agency (DGA) has awarded Thales a contract to provide hybrid networking kits for French Army vehi...
27/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
SaveCrops4EU leverages Earth observation and adv...
26/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
The French defence ministry's integrated str...
26/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
France 2030 has announced its support for the Im...
21/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
The new Thales MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) facility in Gurugram is strategically located near the Delhi airport in Indi...
20/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Under the European Defence Fund (EDF), Thales is to coordinate the EISNET (European Interactive Sensor-Based Dynamic Defence Net...
19/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Under an agreement signed by Thales and Naval Gr...
17/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thales and Malaysia Airlines have signed a long-...
14/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thales has reached a historic milestone by deliv...
13/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
By combining T-Mobile's robust network, Thal...
12/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Moonlight: ESA program to create a satellite con...
12/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
In 2025, Thales ranks among the top 0.01% of the...
11/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thales today announced that it has delivered the...
10/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thaless Modem21 system typically equips sovereig...
10/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Tokyo / Cannes, March 10 2025 - Asia's large...
06/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
The CSO system comprises three defense and security satellites
This trio has two distinct missions: reconnaissance for CSO-1 an...
06/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
EOLO partners with Thales to bring ultrafast broadband to underserved Italian communities.
Thales eSIM solution enables seamle...
05/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Ericsson, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc., and Thale...
04/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Order intake: 25.3 billion, up 9% ( 6% on an organic basis1)
Sales: 20.6 billion, up 11.7% ( 8.3% on an organic basis)
Adjus...
03/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
SHIFT, the German pioneer in sustainable and ethical handset manufacturing, has partnered with Thales, a global leader in advanc...
03/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
On the occasion of IDEX-NAVDEX 2025, EARTH, an e...
03/03/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thales subsidiary, Thales Defense & Security, Inc. (TDSI), has been awarded a contract for Scorpion Helmet Mounted Display (HMD)...
28/02/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Munich, Germany - February 28, 2025 - A signific...
27/02/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Cubic, a leading global provider of software-def...
27/02/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thales, a world leader in cybersecurity for crit...
25/02/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thales marks a new major milestone in its global acceleration in trusted AI with the launch of cortAIx in the UK to address defe...
24/02/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thales, a global technology leader in the defenc...
20/02/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
February 18, 2025 - Abu Dhabi, UAE: Milrem Robot...
18/02/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Thales and Sopra Steria form a strategic partner...
18/02/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
This new contract covers over 300,000 cards annu...
14/02/2025
Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
New solution allows Enterprises to accelerate an...