Thales to acquire Exail Technologies to meet demand for underwater warfare systems

With this acquisition, Thales aims to increase its scale in the underwater warfare market, and to expand its capabilities in inertial navigation systems through the addition of Exail’ complementary expertise.

“With this acquisition, Thales and Exail plan to join forces,” according to Thales chairman and chief executive officer Patrice Caine.

“Together, thanks to our talents and capabilities, we will strengthen our high-technology industrial base and innovation for our world-class defence and civil customers, while reinforcing Europe’s technological sovereignty.”

More than 2,200 employees, Exail is a high‑tech dual industrial group specializing in cutting‑edge technologies in robotics, navigation, aerospace and photonics.

Headquartered in Paris, France, Exail is an ITAR-free group developing dual-use technologies for both defence and civilian customers in more than 80 countries.

“The Gorgé family is pleased to announce the divestment of its stake in Exail to Thales,” according to Exail chairman and chief executive officer Raphaël Gorgé.

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“Under the leadership of Gorgé SA, the 2022 combination of ECA Group and iXblue led to the creation of Exail, a French technological champion specializing in maritime robotics and navigation systems.

“Since then, Exail’ technological development and growth have been exceptional. By joining Thales, Exail and its teams will have an enhanced ability to develop leading sovereign and dual-use technologies for a growing client base globally.”

Exail drones are integrated into drone systems that collaborate with each other, under the supervision of a control centre installed on a ship or on land. It also develops the DriX, a high-endurance range of surface drones, able to address both civil and, increasingly, defence applications.

By combining their capabilities in R&D, Thales and Exail will be well positioned to further contribute to innovation in the field, notably in the high-demand unmanned anti-submarine warfare segment, leveraging artificial intelligence and autonomy across the combined portfolio.

Robert Dougherty

Robert is a senior journalist who has previously worked for Seven West Media in Western Australia, as well as Fairfax Media and Australian Community Media in New South Wales. He has produced national headlines, photography and videography of emergency services, business, community, defence and government news across Australia. Robert graduated with a Bachelor of Arts, Majoring in Public Relations and Journalism at Curtin University, attended student exchange program with Fudan University and holds Tier 1 General Advice certification for Kaplan Professional. Reach out via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via LinkedIn.