As governments increase defense spending and prepare for increased cyber risks, Thales Canada offers strategies on how CEOs can shift national priorities to long-term growth. The combination of global scale and local footprint of 1,400 employees across five provinces, more than 35 research and development partnerships, and 500 Canadian suppliers positions the company as a core enabler of Canada's emerging security and technology challenges.
From AI-powered naval maintenance and NATO-focused capabilities to an ambitious talent strategy that includes an internal academy and a new national digital excellence center in Fredericton, Thales is betting that the winners in this environment will be those that innovate quickly, partner deeply and invest heavily in skills. In the following interview, CEO Ian Kreps shares his insights on navigating geopolitical uncertainty, closing critical talent shortages, and aligning corporate strategy with changing public sector demands.
Please tell us about Thales and its expanding footprint.
From a global perspective, Thales is a technology leader specializing in solutions for the defense, aerospace, cyber and digital markets. With a rich tradition of innovation and expertise, we operate in 68 countries and employ approximately 80,000 people worldwide. Our expanding international footprint allows us to think globally and operate locally to effectively meet local market demands.
In Canada, we have more than 1,400 employees, including 640 highly skilled engineers, and our footprint continues to grow. We work with approximately 500 Canadian partners, maintain a fleet of more than 100 Royal Canadian Navy vessels, and support numerous government departments and agencies with secure data solutions.
Thales is deeply embedded in Canada's innovation and defense ecosystem, with more than 35 research and development partnerships and facilities in cities across the country and across five provinces.
What are the factors behind the company's growth?
Thales' growth in Canada is supported by three core areas: innovation, partnerships and customer service.
Innovation is at the heart of our strategy and is driven by continued investment in research and development. This approach allows us to stay ahead of technology trends and maintain a diversified portfolio across markets. A prime example is the use of AI to optimize maintenance schedules for Arctic and offshore patrol ships and Royal Canadian Navy vessels under joint operating agreements. Helps improve operational readiness by minimizing delays.
We also recently launched a National Digital Excellence Center in Fredericton, New Brunswick. This initiative, with support from government and academic partners, will foster the development of advanced cyber and digital technologies and strengthen Canada's cyber resilience.
Partnerships are equally important. Through the SYNERGY program, Thales works closely with Canadian small and medium-sized businesses to help bring advanced military technologies to market. We also prioritize economic reconciliation with indigenous communities.
Thales has partnered with the Malahat Nation to open a West Coast Operations Center to oversee the refurbishment and maintenance of Arctic and offshore patrol vessels and joint support vessels. This partnership reflects a shared commitment to sustainable resource management, including the implementation of innovative water recovery and reuse systems.
Finally, customer service and support are the cornerstone of Thales' success. For more than 50 years, the company has provided operational support to the Canadian Department of Defense, covering major naval platforms such as Victoria-class submarines and Halifax-class frigates.
Thales ensures that maintenance is performed in a timely and effective manner, enabling the Canadian Armed Forces to meet its global obligations. In addition to naval support, Thales supplies advanced military and vehicle optronics to NATO forces and is expanding its manufacturing facility in Quebec to meet growing demand.
Together, these pillars position Thales as Canada's trusted partner in defense and technology.
You have an ambitious hiring plan, how is it progressing?
Thales Canada's ambitious employment plans are on track and showing strong momentum. For example, we are actively recruiting across multiple provinces, including Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, and Nova Scotia. Roles range from junior systems engineers and DevOps specialists to cybersecurity managers, data architects, and project planners.
Additionally, the company is expanding its Ottawa operations by consolidating three existing offices into a new 112,000 square foot headquarters in Kanata, increasing its local footprint by 30%. This move supports our aim to hire for more defense, digital identity and cybersecurity roles in this sector.
What is the philosophy behind your “learning”? Company program?
The philosophy behind our Learning Company program is based on the belief that developing our people is essential to long-term success, and that we must consider both learning and sharing of knowledge, skills and behaviors.
This starts with a career-long commitment to development. Thales fosters a culture of continuous learning from the start, providing targeted reskilling and upskilling opportunities to help employees adapt to technological changes and confidently respond to evolving business needs.
Strategic talent management is also central to the program. Thales aims to maximize the potential of every team member through personalized growth paths, regular performance reviews and career development conversations that align personal aspirations with organizational goals.
To support this, Thales has established more than 35 in-house academies to provide structured, high-impact training across areas such as cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, digital identity and engineering. These academies help develop deep technical expertise, drive innovation, and enable internal mobility across your organization.
The foundation of our Learning Company model is an inclusive and collaborative culture. Thales is committed to a safe, fair and respectful workplace. Learning is encouraged at all levels and employee growth is supported. Thales has a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination and actively promotes a culture of leadership development, wellbeing and belonging.
What's next for Thales?
Over the next five years, Thales is poised for significant growth and impact in Canada by combining national priorities with our own strategic momentum. Canada's renewed focus on strengthening our technology and defense sectors represents a huge opportunity for us. A reawakening of Canada's commitment to national defense creates a fertile environment for expansion, innovation, and deeper cooperation across Canada.
Thales is well placed to support these ambitions. With a strong foundation built through years of growth, the company is focused on maximizing fulfillment of existing contracts while expanding capacity to support Canada's ReArm Europe initiative and NATO spending goals. These are exciting times for Thales Canada, a period marked by opportunity and a clear vision to shape the strategic future of this country.
