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Paris, 6 October 2008 - Thales today inaugurated its latest security laboratory, an ultra-modern facility dedicated to advanced technologies for the protection of citizens, critical infrastructure and ground transportation systems. The official opening ceremony was attended by Jacques Barrot, Vice-President of the European Commission, Responsible for Justice, Freedom and Security.

The year in particular, with the French presidency of the European Union and a major domestic security plan due to be announced by the French government, Thales is placing growing emphasis on technological development for mission critical systems and civil security.

Globalisation has increased the mobility of people, goods, data and capital, making our societies more vulnerable than ever to the threats of terrorism and cybercrime.

As a world leader in civil security markets, Thales is leveraging its capabilities in mission critical information systems and its recognised expertise in defence and aerospace to demonstrate its latest technological advances.

The new interactive security laboratory focuses on a number of key themes:
· large-scale urban security systems
· secure ID document production and management
· protection of energy production and transport infrastructure
· airport security
· intelligent ground transportation management
· cyberprotection

Coordinating defences against cyber-attack is one of the major topics developed in France's White Paper on Defence and National Security, which sets out France's priorities in these areas for the next fifteen years.

Thales's strategic commitment to the development and international deployment of advanced security technologies is an integral part of its mission with respect to civil protection, cooperation with governments, research and operational services.

Thales generates more than 25% of its revenues from security markets (3.4 billion euros in 2007).

About Thales
Thales is a leading international electronics and systems group, addressing defence, aerospace and security markets worldwide. Thales's leading-edge technology is supported by 22,000 R&D engineers who offer a capability unmatched in Europe to develop and deploy field-proven mission-critical information systems. To this end, the group's civil and military businesses develop in parallel and share a common base of technologies to serve a single objective: the security of people, property and nations. The group builds its growth on its unique multi-domestic strategy based on trusted partnerships with national customers and market players, while leveraging its global expertise to support local technology and industrial development. Thales employs 68,000 people in 50 countries with 2007 revenues of €12.3 billion.

Press contacts

Thales
Solutions de Sécurité & Services
Victoire Le Barazer
Tel. +33 1 73 32 13 20
victoire.lebarazer@thalesgroup.com

Thales
Corporate Communications
Caroline Philips
Tel. +33 1 57 77 86 26
caroline.philips@thalesgroup.com