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Germany 

Thales, in collaboration with the German Navy and the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), has recently inaugurated an extended Testing Centre in Hengelo. This development, announced on April 23rd, marks a significant step forward in the F126 project, aimed at advancing naval technologies for frigates.

The expanded Testing Centre serves as a hub for fostering collaboration among project partners, including Damen Naval, and facilitating innovation and co-creation. With its state-of-the-art facilities for system testing and integration, the center is poised to play a vital role in the development and deployment of naval technologies for the F126 frigates.

Dirk Jan de Bruijn, Vice President of Above Water Systems at Thales, expressed the importance of this milestone, emphasizing the collaborative environment created to drive innovative solutions for the F126 project. The facility boasts multiple testing positions for the ships’ sensors and hardware, facilitating the seamless integration of these systems into the TACTICOS Combat Management System.

This collaborative approach not only enhances efficiency but also ensures that the solutions developed are precisely tailored to meet the requirements of the German Navy. The inauguration of the extended Thales Testing Centre was commemorated with an official ceremony attended by high-ranking naval officials, including Flottillenadmiral Andreas Czerwinski, Konteradmiral Christoph Müller-Meinhard, and Kapitän zur See Matthias Michael Potthoff, along with representatives from Damen Naval, Dura Vermeer, and Thales.

The inauguration of the extended Thales Testing Centre signifies a significant step forward in the F126 project, demonstrating a commitment to advancing naval capabilities through collaboration and innovation.