This choice by Pilatus marks a new step for Thales, which, since April 2024, has strengthened its portfolio in the cockpit connectivity and secure communications sector with the acquisition of Cobham Aerospace Communications. Thales’s radio management system was chosen for its ability to meet the end-users’ military requirements, as well as for its flexibility (to adapt to several scenarios) and superior reliability compared to traditional technologies. Pilatus Aircraft Ltd’s choice of the Thales system reflects the Swiss aircraft manufacturer’s confidence in Thales’ expertise in avionics and advanced communication technologies.
Thales’s radio management system is distinguished by a range of advanced capabilities, including:
- Full compliance with military standards: ensuring seamless integration into the most complex operational environments and the most diverse mission systems.
- Proven reliability: designed for mission-critical applications, the system ensures robust, uninterrupted communications, even under the most complex conditions.
- Superior flexibility: the system easily adapts to operators’ evolving needs, from training missions or tactical operations.
The Pilatus PC-7 Turbo Trainer is a low-wing tandem-seat training aircraft, designed and manufactured in Switzerland by Pilatus Aircraft. The aircraft is capable of all basic training functions, including aerobatics, instrument, tactical, and night flying. The PC-7 was developed from the preceding piston-powered Pilatus P-3,[1] largely differing by the adoption of a turboprop engine, a bubble canopy, and a new one-piece wing. Introduced during the 1970s, it has since developed a sizable presence of the global trainer market. The type has been adopted by in excess of twenty air forces as their ab initio trainer, as well as multiple civilian operators. Over one million hours have reportedly been flown by PC-7s worldwide.[citation needed] In addition to training operations, some aircraft are armed and have been used for combat missions by several customers, including Chad, Iran, and Mexico.
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services helps address several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion. The Group allocates €4.5 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity, Quantum and Cloud technologies. Thales has more than 85,000 employees in 65 countries. In 2025, the Group generated sales of €22.1 billion.
