Thales Australia
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Defence, Aerospace, Security, Transport |
| Predecessor | Australian Defence Industries (ADI Limited) |
| Founded | 1890s |
| Headquarters | Sydney , Australia |
Area served | Australia, international partners |
| Products | Defence systems, small arms, armoured vehicles (Bushmaster, Hawkei), avionics, naval systems, transport and security systems |
Number of employees | 3,900 (2020) |
| Parent | Thales Group |
Thales Australia—previously known as Australian Defence Industries and ADI Limited—is a defence contractor based in Australia and operates as a subsidiary of the French multinational defence technology corporation Thales Group.
The company has been involved in a variety of projects with the Australian Defence Force as well as international partners, focusing on the development and delivery of systems, products, and services tailored to both defence and commercial markets.
Services
Originating in the 1890s, this organisation has grown into a leading domestic defence specialist, overseeing the design, manufacturing, and lifecycle support of numerous defence systems. Under the ADI name, it secured multiple long-term agreements with the Australian government and military.
For many years, ADI stood as Australia's only native defence contractor until Tenix Defence emerged in 1997 as a competitor. In 2008, British company BAE Systems acquired Tenix for A$775 million (£373 million).
ADI manufactured small arms, including the EF88 Austeyr assault rifle produced at the Lithgow Small Arms Factory, alongside smokeless powder products. It was also a principal producer of armoured vehicles such as the Bushmaster and Hawkei, with Bushmaster exports representing over 25% of total export revenue in 2009.
The firm’s main operations were based at Sydney’s Garden Island Naval Base, complemented by research and development facilities located in Brisbane. In 2006, following government approval, Transfield Holdings sold its 50% share in ADI to Thales Group’s Australian division, resulting in full ownership and rebranding to Thales Australia.
Thales Australia is well-regarded for its naval ship repair capabilities, holding a lease on the Captain Cook Graving Dock at Garden Island Naval Base in Sydney. The company also integrates naval systems including radar, sonar, communications, optronics, and electronic warfare technologies. The St Marys facility in Western Sydney is undergoing transformation for residential use while munitions manufacturing is being centralized at Benalla in Victoria.
By 2010, Thales Australia employed approximately 3,300 personnel across 35 locations primarily within New South Wales and Victoria; by 2020 this workforce had grown to 3,900 employees with two additional sites added. Defence-related activities accounted for around 65% of its operations, with transport, security, and aerospace comprising the balance.
In the aerospace sector, Thales Australia focuses on avionics and aerospace-grade electronic components. By 2010, it was a key maintenance provider and systems supplier for the Australian Defence Force's Eurocopter Tiger and NHIndustries NH90 helicopter programs. Its product range includes avionics subsystems such as digital mapping tools, navigation aids, communications equipment, electronic warfare systems, mission computers, flight simulators as well as sonar and mine detection devices. The company also develops air traffic management solutions.
Since the early 2010s, the services division has expanded considerably. Thales Australia has implemented major mass transit initiatives like Auckland’s Public Transport Ticketing system along with open road tolling infrastructure. Its transport services portfolio features command and control platforms, railway signalling technology, security systems, and communications solutions. Security offerings cover secure communication networks, infrastructure protection technologies, border security tools, identity management services, and cryptographic solutions.
On 29 June 2020, Thales Australia entered into joint tenancy with NIOA at the government-owned munitions facility in Benalla while retaining exclusive tenancy of the propellant manufacturing plant located in Mulwala.