India has become the fifth global corporate Research & Technology hub of the Thales Group with the launch of Thales Research & Technology India in Bengaluru. The announcement was made during the week of the India AI Impact Summit and forms part of the India–France Year of Innovation 2026.
With this development, India joins France, the UK, Canada and Singapore in hosting one of Thales’ global R&T centers. The move signals a deeper strategic commitment to research-led collaboration between India and France. It also strengthens India’s position in advanced technology development.
The new research center is housed within Thales’ Engineering Competence Centre in Bengaluru. It will focus on advanced capabilities in real-time embedded software, edge computing and embedded artificial intelligence. The center will also leverage open-source hardware concepts to accelerate innovation in critical systems.
The launch ceremony was attended by senior government and diplomatic representatives. Among them was Shri Priyank Kharge, Karnataka’s Minister for Electronics, Information Technology and Biotechnology. Marc Lamy, Consul General of France in Bengaluru, and Julie Huguet, Director of La French Tech, were also present. Members of the French Tech delegation visiting India for the AI Impact Summit attended the event, along with industry leaders and Thales executives.
Bernhard Quendt, Group Chief Technical Officer at Thales, and Ankur Kanaglekar, Vice-President – India, represented the company’s global and India leadership.
Thales Research & Technology India will function as a hub for advanced research and collaborative innovation. It is expected to support India’s “Aatmanirbhar Bharat” vision by strengthening domestic capabilities in high-end technologies. The center will host a dedicated team of researchers, including Master’s and PhD scholars. It will work closely with start-ups, academic institutions, industry partners and government agencies.
A key focus area will be high-performance embedded software for complex and safety-critical systems. Embedded AI and cybersecurity will also be priority domains. The center aims to contribute to future connectivity solutions and digital resilience. These capabilities are critical across defence, aerospace, cyber and digital identity sectors.
Thales invests more than €4 billion globally in research and development each year. The establishment of a corporate R&T laboratory in India reflects the country’s growing importance within the group’s global innovation network. Bengaluru already serves as a major hub for Thales’ operations in India. The company maintains strong capabilities in defence, aerospace, cybersecurity and digital technologies through its Engineering Competence Centre.
Priyank Kharge said Karnataka continues to position itself as a global hub for advanced technology and innovation. He noted that Thales’ new research center reflects the strength of the state’s innovation ecosystem and Indo-French cooperation. He added that continued investments in R&D and skill creation align with India’s goal of building a self-reliant technology base.
Marc Lamy described the launch as a decisive step in Thales’ India journey. He highlighted the company’s role in advancing French technological excellence in aerospace, defence, cybersecurity and digital identity. He said Thales’ presence contributes significantly to strengthening India’s industrial and technological landscape under the “Make in India” vision.
Bernhard Quendt emphasized that research at Thales is inherently collaborative. He said the Indian R&T center will reinforce India’s role as a key innovation hub within the group’s global strategy. He noted that close engagement with start-ups, academia and public authorities will be central to accelerating breakthroughs in embedded AI, cybersecurity and next-generation systems.
Ankur Kanaglekar stated that Thales has been a partner in India’s growth for more than seven decades. He said Bengaluru has long been central to the company’s engineering and innovation activities. The new research center, he added, strengthens the commitment to “Make in India”, “Innovate in India” and “Export from India”.
The launch comes at a time when India is seeking to expand its role beyond manufacturing to high-value research and technology creation. The India–France Year of Innovation 2026 provides a diplomatic and strategic framework for deeper collaboration in advanced domains.
With Thales Research & Technology India now operational, India’s inclusion among the group’s global R&T centers signals recognition of the country’s engineering talent, academic depth and innovation ecosystem. It also reflects a broader shift toward global technology partnerships rooted in joint research, local capability building and long-term strategic alignment.
