Thales welcomes official opening of new Centre for Maritime Intelligent Systems

Thales yesterday welcomed the official opening of the new Centre for Maritime Intelligent Systems (CMIS) at Portsdown Technology Park by Matthew Hancock MP, Minister for Portsmouth.

Thales led the development of the CMIS concept through its role in the Defence Growth Partnership (DGP), the major joint industry-government initiative that was launched in July 2014 to strengthen and grow the UK’s defence sector. The DGP’s Intelligent Systems group, which defined the business case and scope of the CMIS, is chaired by Victor Chavez, CEO of Thales UK; while the CMIS Steering Board is chaired by Joe Kidd, Director of Maritime Mission Systems at Thales UK.

The centre was designed to build upon the UK’s leading expertise in next-generation Maritime Intelligent Systems (MIS), delivering a broad range of solutions such as maritime security with mine counter measures and long-duration intelligence gathering, as well as civil applications in the oil and gas sector and environmental monitoring. The potential global market for MIS is estimated at £9 billion per year.

In July we launched the concept of the Centre for Maritime Intelligent Systems. Today’s opening of the centre, less than six months later, represents a remarkable achievement by the joint industry-government team. Maritime Intelligent Systems have the potential to deliver a paradigm shift in operational capability for our global customers. The CMIS represents a significant and collaborative step towards shaping new markets, positioning the UK to lead on a global scale.” Victor Chavez, CEO of Thales UK 

(Photo: Centre for Maritime Intelligent Systems)

Matthew Hancock MP tries out the Halcyon simulator