Thales several key contracts have marked a recent upturn in the company's business in the kingdom in both civil and military markets.

In Defence, Thales has been selected to supply a major electronic air defence and protection system for the Saudi Air Force. Known as Al Madhallah (the umbrella), this system comprises an electronic warfare centre with six regional hubs, as well as mobile centres to train personnel operating missile batteries (Crotale, Shahine, Patriot and Hawk) and electronic warfare systems.

In Aerospace, Thales and Advanced Electronics Company (AEC) in Riyadh have agreed to establish a new company to manufacture simulators in Saudi Arabia. The agreement also includes the provision of training services, technical support, personnel and replacement parts. Thales and the Saudi Arabian General Authority for Civil Aviation (GACA) have launched the initial phase of a programme to develop a regional centre of excellence in civil aviation security training.

In the Space sector, Arabsat has selected the consortium of Astrium and Thales Alenia Space to manufacture its fifth-generation satellite.