Fraud Probe Launched Into UK Defense Firm Thales

A fraud investigation has been launched into allegations of bribery and corruption at the aviation and defense firm Thales, BBC News reported.

Thales is under suspicion of corruption linked to international arms sales. I Photo: Thales UK

Authorities in the UK and France have announced a joint probe into the company, a key defense contractor for the UK government. This follows raids conducted in June at Thales offices in France, the Netherlands, and Spain amid suspicions of corruption linked to international arms sales.

Thales UK, headquartered in Reading, Berkshire, employs over 7,000 staff across the country.

The investigation is being carried out by the UK’s Serious Fraud Office (SFO) and France’s Parquet National Financier.

Nick Ephgrave, Director of the SFO, said: “Collaborating with our international partners is crucial in the fight against global corruption. Together, we will rigorously pursue every avenue in this investigation into serious allegations.”

Thales manufactured 650 Lightweight Multirole Missiles (LMMs), which the UK committed to supplying to Ukraine in a £162 million order announced in September. Earlier this year, the firm secured a £1.8 billion contract to maintain the Royal Navy’s ships and submarines over the next 15 years.