Thales and SAVIC announce partnership for Helicopter Avionics

Nov. 11, 2014
Joint solution will be based on the Thales TopDeck certified helicopter avionics suite

Zhuhai, 11 November 2014 – Thales and Shanghai AVIC (SAVIC) today announced the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) confirming their partnership to provide joint solutions to the Chinese helicopter market. Thales will bring its latest certified helicopter avionics know-how and technologies, while SAVIC will bring local expertise of systems integration, software development, customer support and through-life services.

The joint solution will be based on the Thales TopDeck certified helicopter avionics suite providing unparalleled levels of safety for both crew and passengers and integrating the most advanced technologies available on the market today. TopDeck features intuitiveness, advanced interactive functions and includes high levels of integration providing significant reduction in weight. SAVIC has already developed a number of avionics suites for Chinese helicopters and its experience in software customization will allow for rapid adaptation of TopDeck to equip new Chinese helicopters and to modernize existing ones.

“Through long term cooperation, we aim to build our presence in China and further develop our joint efforts with the Chinese helicopter industry, commented Olivier Guibert VP, Northern Asia & Country Director China for Thales. The teaming agreement we’re signing today will enable us to offer safe, stateof-the-art and competitive solutions to the Chinese market.” “Thanks to the partnership with Thales, SAVIC can bring to Chinese customers comprehensive certified avionics suites tailored to their requirements at affordable price.” Said WANG Jinyan, President of SAVIC.

About Thales
Thales is a global technology leader in the Aerospace, Transportation and Defence & Security markets. In 2013, the company generated revenues of €14.2 billion with 65,000 employees in 56 countries. With its 25,000 engineers and researchers, Thales has a unique capability to design, develop and deploy equipment, systems and services that meet the most complex security requirements. Thales has an exceptional international footprint, with operations around the world working with customers and local partners.

About SAVIC
Shanghai Avionics Corporation (SAVIC) belongs to AVIC group. Its main business covers technology research and product development of avionics systems, avionics core subsystems and core products in domains of central processing, control and display, flight management, integrated data management, radio communication and navigation, telemetry and telecontrol and integrated surveillance, etc. With a staff of 1900 and a turnover of RMB2.69B in 2013, SAVIC is a high tech enterprise providing research and development, manufacturing, services and support to its customers.