Madrid, 16th June 2021. – Thales has started production of the TUUM-6 underwater communication system, one of the components of the Group’s integrated suite of sonars and acoustic systems, in Spain. According to the contract signed in December 2019, Thales will provide the system for the Spanish navy’s five new F110 frigates.

Charged with supplying the TUUM-6 underwater digital communication system, Thales’ Spanish industrial subsidiary has begun to produce the underwater telephone with which the company has become the benchmark in the naval sector at the international level. Thanks to this development, the Spanish navy will be equipped with an underwater communication capacity produced in Spain for its new F110 frigates.

The contract, the transfer of know-how from the parent company and the start-up of production of the TUUM-6 represent a milestone in the history of Thales and represent a clear demonstration of the company's commitment to increasing industrial production in Spain. So, it provides the country with new industrial capacities in the near future, with all that this implies for the Spanish labour market and industrial fabric.

TUUM-6 production start-up will also directly affect the Thales Production and Maintenance Centre in Leganés, Madrid, which is currently in the process of transformation to industry 4.0 capability. The facility could become the production core for exportable communications systems around the world over the next few years.

The TUUM-6 is the first naval system produced at Thales Leganés, where it complements the current production of the DKU aeronautical unit for NH-90 helicopters and various military radio communications devices for the Army.