Thales Launches Fifth Global Research Center in India

Thales unveiled Thales Research & Technology India in Bengaluru during the India AI Impact Summit week, making India the fifth location in the company’s global corporate research network. Announced as part of the India-France Year of Innovation 2026, this launch reinforces Thales’ commitment to ‘Make in India’, ‘Innovate in India’, and ‘Export from India’ initiatives.

India now joins France, the UK, Canada, and Singapore as home to Thales’ corporate laboratories for Research & Technology, marking a significant milestone for India’s R&D ecosystem.

Strategic Focus Areas

As an integral part of Thales’ Engineering Competence Centre in Bengaluru, Thales Research & Technology India will leverage global technological expertise supporting development of advanced capabilities in real-time embedded software, edge-computing, and embedded AI while taking benefits from open-source hardware concepts.

The facility serves as a hub for advanced research supporting the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) vision with special emphasis on open innovation in the hardware domain. This enables stronger collaborations with start-ups, industry partners, and academic research communities to develop breakthrough technologies for critical systems.

High-Profile Launch Ceremony

The launch ceremony featured Karnataka’s Honourable Minister for Electronics, Information Technology & Biotechnology Shri Priyank Kharge, Consul General of France in Bengaluru Marc Lamy, La French Tech Director Julie Huguet, and dignitaries from the French Tech Delegation visiting India for AI Impact Summit Week.

Thales leadership included Bernhard Quendt, Senior Vice President and Group Chief Technical Officer, and Ankur Kanaglekar, Vice-President for India, alongside senior executives from Indian industry.

Karnataka’s Innovation Ecosystem

Shri Priyank Kharge emphasized Karnataka’s position as a global hub for advanced technology: “The launch of Thales Research & Technology India reflects the state’s robust innovation ecosystem and strong Indo-French collaboration. Thales’ continued investments in research & development, skill creation and partnerships align well with building a self-reliant India.”

Bengaluru plays a central role in Thales’ operations spanning Defence, Aerospace, Cyber, and Digital sectors, supported by its advanced Engineering Competence Centre, local industry partnerships, collaborations with premier academic institutions, and engagement with Karnataka’s broader innovation ecosystem.

Open Innovation and Collaboration

According to Bernhard Quendt, Group Chief Technology Officer, “At Thales, research and innovation are collaborative by nature. Through Thales Research & Technology India, we aim to work closely with start-ups, industry partners and academic institutions, as well as government authorities, to accelerate breakthroughs in areas such as high-performance embedded software, embedded AI, cybersecurity and future connectivity.”

The facility will house a dedicated team of researchers including Masters and PhD scholars, fostering cutting-edge research capabilities addressing evolving needs of critical systems in an increasingly complex world.

Seven-Decade Partnership

Ankur Kanaglekar, Vice-President for India at Thales, noted: “Thales has been a trusted partner in India’s growth story for more than seven decades. This initiative will foster deeper collaboration, accelerate technology development, and nurture cutting-edge research capabilities in India—for India and for the world.”

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Thales dedicates more than €4 billion globally in R&D annually, with the Bengaluru research center representing a significant step forward in the Group’s growing investments and innovation footprint in India.

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