In a secure laboratory just outside Paris, a compact metalic device using ultra-collar atoms promised to navigate centatlantic trips without relying on satellitics. This is a view of invisible thread connecting consumer tech and national defense.
For Bernhard Quendt, Chief Technical Officer of Thales, this conjunction is far from accident. It’s strategy.
“Defense systems are more combination with civilian technologies, which are very encouraging, but benefiting from the speed of civilians,” he said Arabian business In an exclusive interview with trails in a recent tour of French multinational technology labor.
Thales reported Q1 2025 revenues of € 4.96 billion (approximately $ 5.4 billion), showing a 9.9 percent of its defense and civil operations. Company growth is contrary to the broader tech sector to progress and highlight the diversity of the dual-sector model. According to Quedt, Thendt’s presence in two markets gives it a strategic edge because it facilitates investment in value technologies.
A competitive edge by cross-pollination
Thales occupies a rare position in the tech’s global ecosystem. While regularly related to aerospace and military systems, consumer markets also serve, from cybersecurity to tech tech tech tech. This crossover promotes a change cycle where each side shows another, CTO explained.
“Most of our defense competitors are defense players. The same side of civilian,” Quendt said. “We now see more and more civilian companies seek to invest in defense, but they are old behind us.”
Civilians in civilians often work rapidly but lacking in vulnerability. Defending systems were built to endure the zones of war and severe situations but progressed based on national needs. However, in Thales, both worlds feed each other, and the consequence, he believes, a lasting advantage.
“We have a couple of civilian activities that have inspired defense … it is in our DNA,” he added, teaching a digital recognition and cybersing business.
From bank cards to tech in battle
Get your average bank card. In Thaales, researchers have used the same striptographic principles in the daily financial transaction to prepare for a post-qualption world – one where current encryption techniques are no longer available.
The post-quantum crypptography is sitting at this intersection. Algorithms developed for cards and esims can also ensure critical military communications. France National Quantum Strategy, launched by 2021 with over € 1.065 billion (approximately $ 1.16 billion) of public funds, helps gathering these efforts.
“The post-quantum crypto, for example, from both sides, defense and civilians,” Quendt said.
Military-Grade AI with consumer implications
Artificial intelligence Is another place where defense-consumer feedback is clear in defuser. Consumer AI was built for convenience. Military AI should be built for stability – either attack.
“If a person steals your smartphone, easily crack AI on your smartphone and access a lot of personal data,” Queendt explained. “Defending systems are more standing so if someone shows a drone and access AI, it doesn’t discover.” You cannot find military secrets from that. “
In Thaales, a dedicated center enhances hard-working AI systems. Eventually, protections can flow to consumer AI platforms, especially when privacy concerns can be more compulsion.
Quantum sensors and Navigating without GPS
Among the most promising results of this double tracking navigation. As incidents of GPS Jamming and Spoofing Grows, Thales develops measurement systems that may be a day to replace satellite signals.
“With cold atoms, you’ll get to a flight from here in New York, with no GPS sign, there is a deviation that maybe a penny,” he said. Now systems are now farther away at the same distance.
Developed primarily for defense and aviation, Quendt believes that tech can finally reach daily use. “Maybe one day you will join a cold atom-based sensor in your car,” he said.
Innovation equation
In the heart of Thales’s strategy is a belief that true explosions occur when different domains collide. Consumer tech can move fast. Tech Defense Tech can be secure. But only together, Quendt only believes, can they give the full potential of innovation.
“If they work together, as they do in Thales, they can come to many innovations that they cannot be alone,” he said. “Thales understand the two worlds. We quickly adequately competitive in civilian world and experienced enough to meet the restricted defense needs.”
With over $ 1.09 billion spent on R & D each year, as Quendt says, further $ 4.36 billion clients to bet the defense and the defense customers and future.
