ELT Group and Thales DMS have formally announced the establishment of a joint venture, equally owned by the two companies, the companies said in Paris on 4 November 2026. The venture, named Thales ELT Naval EW Solutions, is intended to strengthen the two companies’ position as a leading European provider in Naval Electronic Warfare (EW), addressing opportunities in what the companies describe as a rapidly growing strategic market, and to accelerate development of advanced solutions for the protection of naval platforms.

The new company will draw on the combined expertise and product portfolios of both groups, underpinned by more than two decades of collaboration between ELT and Thales and by experience developed through the SIGEN consortium in support of the Italian and French navies. With a dedicated focus on the export market, Thales ELT Naval EW Solutions will combine the companies’ Naval Electronic Warfare product portfolios, providing international customers with a range of solutions integrating Electronic Support Measures and Electronic Countermeasures intended to enhance operational effectiveness and crew safety. Under the venture’s governance arrangements, Matthieu Bouquet, appointed by Thales, will serve as Chairman for the initial term, while Gianni Maratta, appointed by ELT, will serve as Chief Executive Officer.

“This new industrial collaboration with Thales on the challenges of naval EW amplifies the strength of our respective capabilities and excellence, while consolidating a long-term industrial and programme partnership,” said Domitilla Benigni, CEO and COO of ELT Group.

“This milestone in our partnership with ELT Group reinforces our commitment to jointly expand our capabilities in the development of sophisticated technologies for the electromagnetic spectrum in Naval Electronic Warfare,” said Philippe Duhamel, Executive Vice-President Defence Mission Systems, Thales.