Defence Online

Glasgow firm wins £169M Dreadnought contract

Maritime July 26, 2023

Thales Glasgow has been awarded a contract to provide periscopes to the next-generation of Dreadnought submarines.

Thales has been providing the Silent Service with their ‘eyes’ since World War 1, this new contract will see Thales Glasgow deliver state-of-the-art ‘optronic masts’ – 21st Century successors to the iconic periscope – for all four future nuclear deterrent submarines (HMS Dreadnought, Valiant, Warspite, and George VI).

Thales has become a world-leader in optics/periscope design and progress through to the modern-day optronic masts. These new masts – periscopes which do not penetrate a submarine’s hull, but do record a 360-degee digital image for the command team to analyse at their leisure – also provide night vision and thermal imaging and support communications on top of assisting with targeting, navigation and situational awareness.

Such masts are already fitted to all five Astute-class submarines in service with the Royal Navy (and will be installed on the final two boats in the class, Agincourt and Agamemnon).

The contract for the Dreadnought ‘integrated optronic combat system’ masts for the Dreadnoughts will sustain more than 150 jobs – a fraction of the 30,000 people across the UK involved in the broader programme to deliver the four new submarines.

“We are proud to say that our combat system mast and sonar will be providing the eyes and ears capabilities of the new Dreadnought-class,” said Alex Cresswell, Chief Executive Officer of Thales UK.

“It is an incredibly exciting time for the Submarine Service and its contribution to global security with the build of the Dreadnought class.”

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Dreadnought periscope Royal Navy submarine Thales Thales Glasgow

Post written by: Vicky Maggiani

Vicky has worked in media for over 20 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.