A stunning Viking longship based on a 1,000-year-old design sailed through the heart of London on the River Thames, captivating onlookers. The event celebrates Norse heritage and maritime history, bringing ancient craftsmanship to life in a modern setting.



London: A Viking Arrival in the Heart of London | 1000-Year Old Design Sails the Thames | WION

It is often said that flying is one of the world's most difficult drops to pursue and ace. Pilots often encounter challenges like fatigue, their job requirement is such that they are constantly flying for hours on regular basis.

Indigo to build tool that tests fatigue among pilots; working with Thales on the tool | WION

French aerospace and defence firm Thales will be exhibiting a host of military and commercial aviation and earth observation hardware at the Aero India 2023 event that is to take place in Bengaluru from February 13 to 17. Radars, Very Short-Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORADS), anti-drone systems, and mini-unmanned aerial vehicles are the categories of products that will be showcased in the week-long defence and aerospace exhibition, which is said to be the largest in Asia.&nbsp;

The company said that it has a workforce of more than 1800 employees in the Indian cities of Noida and Bengaluru, where their Global Engineering Centres focus on hardware, software and systems engineering capabilities for both civil and defence sectors, serving global needs. 
 
"Working today with 75 suppliers, generating more than 1900 indirect jobs in India, Thales has expanded locally with joint ventures and other partnerships, such as with Bharat Dynamics Limited to manufacture 60 per cent&nbsp;of the Laser Beam Riding Man-portable air defence system (MANPAD LBRM) system, a top product that Thales will display at the show alongside other defence equipment with local content." In layman's terms, MANPAD are portable, shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles that pose a threat to low-flying aircraft and helicopters. 
&nbsp; 
"Thales will showcase its airborne optronics capability: the 2-in-1 targeting &amp; reconnaissance&nbsp;pod TALIOS (Targeting Long-range Identification Optronic System), Under the navigations segment, the TopAxyz inertial navigation system for air, naval and land transport will be featured. In support of the Indian Navy, Thales will showcase Sonoflash, a new generation of sonobuoy that strengthens anti-submarine warfare capabilities", the company said.

For the Indian civil aviation sector, Thales looks to offer its 'AVANT Up', an inflight entertainment solution. On the drones and anti-drone systems front, the firm will be exhibiting the&nbsp;Spyranger drones, counter-unmanned aerial vehicle solutions that detect, classify and neutralise micro- and mini-drones to protect people, secure critical infrastructure, etc.

“As we celebrate 70 years in India, Thales is eager to pursue its long-standing commitment to partner with India in its big ambitions, including the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) vision. We are fully committed and mobilised to continue supporting the modernisation and indigenisation efforts that are underway in the Indian aerospace and defence sector,”&nbsp;said Ashish Saraf, Thales' India VP and Country Director.

&nbsp;

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French aerospace and defence firm Thales will be exhibiting a host of military and commercial aviation and earth observation hardware at the Aero India 2023 event that is to take place in Bengaluru from February 13 to 17.

French aerospace and defence firm Thales will be exhibiting a host of military and commercial aviation and earth observation hardware at the Aero India 2023 event that is to take place in Bengaluru from February 13 to 17. Radars, Very Short-Range Air Defence Systems (VSHORADS), anti-drone systems, and mini-unmanned aerial vehicles are the categories of products that will be showcased in the week-long defence and aerospace exhibition, which is said to be the largest in Asia. The company said that it has a workforce of more than 1800 employees in the Indian cities of Noida and Bengaluru, where their Global Engineering Centres focus on hardware, software and systems engineering capabilities for both civil and defence sectors, serving global needs. "Working today with 75 suppliers, generating more than 1900 indirect jobs in India, Thales has expanded locally with joint ventures and other partnerships, such as with Bharat Dynamics Limited to manufacture 60 per cent of the Laser Beam Riding Man-portable air defence system (MANPAD LBRM) system, a top product that Thales will display at the show alongside other defence equipment with local content." In layman's terms, MANPAD are portable, shoulder-fired surface-to-air missiles that pose a threat to low-flying aircraft and helicopters. "Thales will showcase its airborne optronics capability: the 2-in-1 targeting & reconnaissance pod TALIOS (Targeting Long-range Identification Optronic System), Under the navigations segment, the TopAxyz inertial navigation system for air, naval and land transport will be featured. In support of the Indian Navy, Thales will showcase Sonoflash, a new generation of sonobuoy that strengthens anti-submarine warfare capabilities", the company said. For the Indian civil aviation sector, Thales looks to offer its 'AVANT Up', an inflight entertainment solution. On the drones and anti-drone systems front, the firm will be exhibiting the Spyranger drones, counter-unmanned aerial vehicle solutions that detect, classify and neutralise micro- and mini-drones to protect people, secure critical infrastructure, etc. “As we celebrate 70 years in India, Thales is eager to pursue its long-standing commitment to partner with India in its big ambitions, including the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) vision. We are fully committed and mobilised to continue supporting the modernisation and indigenisation efforts that are underway in the Indian aerospace and defence sector,” said Ashish Saraf, Thales' India VP and Country Director. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

French defence firm Thales to exhibit solutions for Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, at Aero India

The long-awaited corruption trial against former South African President Jacob Zuma is expected to resume in Pietermaritzburg High Court on Monday.&nbsp;

Zuma and his co-accused French arms manufacturer, Thales, face multiple charges of fraud, corruption and racketeering in connection with South Africa's multi-billion Rand arms deal of the 1990s.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africa-ace-magashule-suspended-from-african-national-congress-takes-ruling-party-to-court-384990" hreflang="en">South Africa: Ace Magashule, suspended from African National Congress, takes ruling party to court</a>

The state had alleged that Zuma is guilty of 16 charges, including, one count of racketeering, two corruption, one money laundering and&nbsp;12 counts of fraud.&nbsp;

From the start, the former President has maintained innocence and has reiterated this was nothing but a witch hunt by his political opponents.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africa-overall-crime-rate-decreases-murder-rate-increased-by-84-385137" hreflang="en">South Africa: Overall crime rate decreases, murder rate increased by 8.4%</a>

After several postponements over the years, in 2018 the charges against Zuma and Thales were reinstated by the former head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Shaun Abraham's.

It has been reported that the State has lined up over 200 witnesses expected to be heard until June 20.&nbsp;

However, at this stage, it is still unclear about the former President's&nbsp;legal team as he recently parted ways with his former lawyers.

Some of the legal experts are of the view that the case against Zuma could be postponed if he failed to secure legal representation.&nbsp;

The long-awaited corruption trial against former South African President Jacob Zuma is expected to resume in Pietermaritzburg High Court on Monday. Zuma and his co-accused French arms manufacturer, Thales, face multiple charges of fraud, corruption and racketeering in connection with South Africa's multi-billion Rand arms deal of the 1990s.

The long-awaited corruption trial against former South African President Jacob Zuma is expected to resume in Pietermaritzburg High Court on Monday. Zuma and his co-accused French arms manufacturer, Thales, face multiple charges of fraud, corruption and racketeering in connection with South Africa's multi-billion Rand arms deal of the 1990s. Also read | South Africa: Ace Magashule, suspended from African National Congress, takes ruling party to court The state had alleged that Zuma is guilty of 16 charges, including, one count of racketeering, two corruption, one money laundering and 12 counts of fraud. From the start, the former President has maintained innocence and has reiterated this was nothing but a witch hunt by his political opponents. Also read | South Africa: Overall crime rate decreases, murder rate increased by 8.4% After several postponements over the years, in 2018 the charges against Zuma and Thales were reinstated by the former head of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Shaun Abraham's. It has been reported that the State has lined up over 200 witnesses expected to be heard until June 20. However, at this stage, it is still unclear about the former President's legal team as he recently parted ways with his former lawyers. Some of the legal experts are of the view that the case against Zuma could be postponed if he failed to secure legal representation.

South Africa: Jacob Zuma's corruption trial to resume on Monday

A <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/significance-of-may-10-in-south-africa-when-democracy-trumped-racial-discrimination-217572">South African</a> court issued an arrest warrant for former president <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-south-african-president-jacob-zuma-faces-court-on-corruption-charges-255976">Jacob Zuma</a> on Tuesday after he skipped court on grounds of needing medical treatment, but the judge stayed the warrant until his corruption trial resumes on May 6.

Zuma's lawyer presented the judge with a sick note from what he said was a military hospital, but Judge Dhaya Pillay questioned whether the note was valid, as there was no medical number showing if and where the doctor was certified.

"I don't even know if he&nbsp;is a doctor. There is nothing to suggest that he is," she said, before issuing the warrant.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africas-jacob-zuma-to-face-corruption-trial-after-court-denies-stay-of-prosecution-255215">Former South Africa president Jacob Zuma to face corruption trial after court denies stay of prosecution</a>

The former leader is on trial on 18 charges of fraud, racketeering and money laundering relating to a $2 billion arms deal with French defence firm <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-south-african-president-jacob-zuma-faces-court-on-corruption-charges-255976">Thales </a>in 1999 when Zuma was deputy president. He rejects the allegations as a politically motivated witch-hunt.

Dan Mantsha, Zuma's lawyer, said that he was abroad for medical treatment, without saying where. Local media have suggested he is in Cuba, although it was not immediately possible to verify this.

Pillay concluded that the note was insufficient to excuse Zuma from appearing for the trial, but gave him until it resumes on May 6 to turn up before the warrant kicks in.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/former-south-african-president-jacob-zuma-faces-court-on-corruption-charges-255976">Former South African president Jacob Zuma faces court on corruption charges</a>

Zuma, president from 2009-2018, had previously applied for a permanent stay of prosecution but the court in Pietermaritzburg threw out his appeal in November.

He is accused of accepting 500,000 rand&nbsp;annually from Thales in 1999, in exchange for protecting the company from an investigation into the deal.

Thales, known as Thompson-CSF at the time, has said it had no knowledge of any transgressions by any of its employees in relation to the award of the contracts.

The National Prosecuting Authority initially filed the charges against Zuma a decade ago, but set them aside shortly before he successfully ran for president in 2009. Following appeals and lobbying by opposition parties, the NPA reinstated the charges in March 2018.

Pillay also accepted an application by the company on Tuesday to be represented by lawyer Barry Roux, who defended Paralympian athlete <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-africas-court-to-hear-states-appeal-against-oscar-pistorius-in-november-20394/amp">Oscar Pistorius</a> over the 2013 murder of his girlfriend.

A South African court issued an arrest warrant for former president Jacob Zuma on Tuesday after he skipped court on grounds of needing medical treatment, but the judge stayed the warrant until his corruption trial resumes on May 6.

A South African court issued an arrest warrant for former president Jacob Zuma on Tuesday after he skipped court on grounds of needing medical treatment, but the judge stayed the warrant until his corruption trial resumes on May 6. Zuma's lawyer presented the judge with a sick note from what he said was a military hospital, but Judge Dhaya Pillay questioned whether the note was valid, as there was no medical number showing if and where the doctor was certified. "I don't even know if he is a doctor. There is nothing to suggest that he is," she said, before issuing the warrant. Also read: Former South Africa president Jacob Zuma to face corruption trial after court denies stay of prosecution The former leader is on trial on 18 charges of fraud, racketeering and money laundering relating to a $2 billion arms deal with French defence firm Thales in 1999 when Zuma was deputy president. He rejects the allegations as a politically motivated witch-hunt. Dan Mantsha, Zuma's lawyer, said that he was abroad for medical treatment, without saying where. Local media have suggested he is in Cuba, although it was not immediately possible to verify this. Pillay concluded that the note was insufficient to excuse Zuma from appearing for the trial, but gave him until it resumes on May 6 to turn up before the warrant kicks in. Also read: Former South African president Jacob Zuma faces court on corruption charges Zuma, president from 2009-2018, had previously applied for a permanent stay of prosecution but the court in Pietermaritzburg threw out his appeal in November. He is accused of accepting 500,000 rand annually from Thales in 1999, in exchange for protecting the company from an investigation into the deal. Thales, known as Thompson-CSF at the time, has said it had no knowledge of any transgressions by any of its employees in relation to the award of the contracts. The National Prosecuting Authority initially filed the charges against Zuma a decade ago, but set them aside shortly before he successfully ran for president in 2009. Following appeals and lobbying by opposition parties, the NPA reinstated the charges in March 2018. Pillay also accepted an application by the company on Tuesday to be represented by lawyer Barry Roux, who defended Paralympian athlete Oscar Pistorius over the 2013 murder of his girlfriend.

South African court issues arrest warrant for ex-president Zuma in graft trial

French defence company Thales has said it is working on doubling its footprint in India by expanding its overall product portfolios with a major focus on India's ambitious project to build a fleet of nuclear-powered attack submarines. 
 
Senior Executive Vice-President (International Development) Pascale Sourisse said Thales was in particular looking at supplying key components such as sonars for India's nuclear-powered and other submarines. 
 
India has been working on a secret project to build six nuclear-powered attack submarines which are expected to boost the Navy's overall strike capabilities. The government had last year also begun the process to acquire six conventionally-powered advanced stealth submarines at a cost of around&nbsp;Rs.&nbsp;60,000 crore under project P-75 (I).&nbsp; 
 
"We can equip any kind of submarines including nuclear-powered submarines. We are equipping nuclear submarines in France," the senior executive of Europe's largest defence electronics company told PTI in an interview. 
 
Six Scorpene-class submarines are currently being built under 'Project 75' of the Indian Navy. The submarines, designed by French firm Naval Group, are being built by the Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai. The project P-75 (I) will be a follow-on for Project 75.&nbsp;

Sourisse said India was one of the top three priority markets for Thales and the company planned to double its footprint in the country in the next two or three years by ramping up its supply chain and building a sustainable ecosystem of partners. 
 
Thales expected defence manufacturing in India to grow because of the government's initiatives in boosting the production of weapons and military platforms, she said. 
 
In particular, she referred to the government's decision to raise foreign direct investment in defence manufacturing to 74 per cent for certain niche segments. 
 
Sourisse said the Thales strategy was not only to support the government's "Make in India" policy but also exports from India.&nbsp; 
 
India is expected to spend close to USD 300 billion in the next five years in procuring defence equipment and almost all major global defence firms are eyeing a slice of it. 
 
"We are in India for 65 years. Since 1953, we have been working with the Indian Air Force, the Navy and the Army," she said, adding the company was looking to expand its product portfolio as well supplies to all the three forces. 
 
When asked about the project to upgrade the IAF's Mirage 2000 fighter jets, Ms Sourisse said it was moving along "very well". Thales is a part of the project along with Dassault Aviation. 
 
On the Rafale deal, she said it would be a "win-win" proposition for India. Thales will provide equipment and systems that are expected to account for about 25 per cent of the total value of each Rafale. 
 
India had inked an inter-governmental agreement with France in September 2016 for the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around&nbsp;Rs.&nbsp;58,000 crore. 
 
In the naval domain, Ms Sourisse said Thales was ready to produce its premier Search Master radar in India under the "Make in India" initiative.&nbsp; 
 
She said the company was keen to produce various equipment and surveillance devices for the Indian Air Force as well and particularly mentioned the fire control radar solution. 
 
Last week, Thales and India's MKU Limited had joined hands for the development and production of optronic devices and F90 close quarter battle (CQB) rifle for soldiers.&nbsp; 
 
The optronic devices and F90 rifles will be manufactured in India at MKU's facilities in Kanpur.&nbsp; 
 
Thales has been providing avionics and other equipment to the state-run aerospace behemoth Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for over four decades and Ms Sourisse said the company was now looking at expanding the association further.

Earlier this week, Thales set up a new office in Bengaluru as part of its plans to strengthening its presence in India.

Senior Executive Vice-President (International Development) Pascale Sourisse said Thales was in particular looking at supplying key components such as sonars for India's nuclear-powered and other submarines

French defence company Thales has said it is working on doubling its footprint in India by expanding its overall product portfolios with a major focus on India's ambitious project to build a fleet of nuclear-powered attack submarines. Senior Executive Vice-President (International Development) Pascale Sourisse said Thales was in particular looking at supplying key components such as sonars for India's nuclear-powered and other submarines. India has been working on a secret project to build six nuclear-powered attack submarines which are expected to boost the Navy's overall strike capabilities. The government had last year also begun the process to acquire six conventionally-powered advanced stealth submarines at a cost of around Rs. 60,000 crore under project P-75 (I). "We can equip any kind of submarines including nuclear-powered submarines. We are equipping nuclear submarines in France," the senior executive of Europe's largest defence electronics company told PTI in an interview. Six Scorpene-class submarines are currently being built under 'Project 75' of the Indian Navy. The submarines, designed by French firm Naval Group, are being built by the Mazagon Dock Limited in Mumbai. The project P-75 (I) will be a follow-on for Project 75. Sourisse said India was one of the top three priority markets for Thales and the company planned to double its footprint in the country in the next two or three years by ramping up its supply chain and building a sustainable ecosystem of partners. Thales expected defence manufacturing in India to grow because of the government's initiatives in boosting the production of weapons and military platforms, she said. In particular, she referred to the government's decision to raise foreign direct investment in defence manufacturing to 74 per cent for certain niche segments. Sourisse said the Thales strategy was not only to support the government's "Make in India" policy but also exports from India. India is expected to spend close to USD 300 billion in the next five years in procuring defence equipment and almost all major global defence firms are eyeing a slice of it. "We are in India for 65 years. Since 1953, we have been working with the Indian Air Force, the Navy and the Army," she said, adding the company was looking to expand its product portfolio as well supplies to all the three forces. When asked about the project to upgrade the IAF's Mirage 2000 fighter jets, Ms Sourisse said it was moving along "very well". Thales is a part of the project along with Dassault Aviation. On the Rafale deal, she said it would be a "win-win" proposition for India. Thales will provide equipment and systems that are expected to account for about 25 per cent of the total value of each Rafale. India had inked an inter-governmental agreement with France in September 2016 for the procurement of 36 Rafale fighter jets at a cost of around Rs. 58,000 crore. In the naval domain, Ms Sourisse said Thales was ready to produce its premier Search Master radar in India under the "Make in India" initiative. She said the company was keen to produce various equipment and surveillance devices for the Indian Air Force as well and particularly mentioned the fire control radar solution. Last week, Thales and India's MKU Limited had joined hands for the development and production of optronic devices and F90 close quarter battle (CQB) rifle for soldiers. The optronic devices and F90 rifles will be manufactured in India at MKU's facilities in Kanpur. Thales has been providing avionics and other equipment to the state-run aerospace behemoth Hindustan Aeronautics Limited for over four decades and Ms Sourisse said the company was now looking at expanding the association further. Earlier this week, Thales set up a new office in Bengaluru as part of its plans to strengthening its presence in India.

French defence company working on doubling its footprint in India

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