During the Singapore Airshow 2026, Thales signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB) to strengthen its capabilities in AI, cloud, edge computing, data engineering and manufacturing in Singapore, including in support of development of its FlytEDGE IFE solution.

Thales has invested in its industrial and technological footprint in Singapore for over 50 years. From the establishment of Avionics activities in 1973 to the launch of cortAIx, Thales’ AI accelerator, in Singapore last year, the Group is paving the way as a deep tech company, innovating in AI, cybersecurity and quantum technologies.

Now it is investing in new technologies within the following sectors:

Singapore becomes one of three global R&D centres for FlytEDGE

Thales’ award-winning FlytEDGE is the industry’s first and only cloud-native inflight entertainment platform, helping airlines deliver extraordinary digital experiences and deepen customer connections in real-time.

In Singapore, Thales established its IFE Cloud Centre of Excellence (CCoE) in 2021 to develop local expertise in cloud-based digital services. ​Through a new MoU, the CCoE will ramp up its expertise in cloud, data engineering and edge computing, becoming one of three global R&D centres for FlytEDGE, alongside France and the United States.

In the next three years, 40 experts will provide technical and engineering support for FlytEDGE in Singapore, as well as develop new end-to-end services that integrate cloud and edge computing, cybersecured-by-design.

Edge computing will enable advanced processing, accurate data collection and insights in real time on-board, while cloud automation will reduce manual operations. FlytEDGE enables passengers to seamlessly bring their personal devices and their world into the aircraft.

Thales offers new regulatory technology managed service

Developed jointly by Thales teams in Singapore and France, the unique service is a cybersecure AI-enabled solution tailored to multiple public cloud infrastructures, including AWS, Azure and Google Cloud. This solution creates a secure cloud environment (‘landing zones’) in which project teams can build and deploy applications quickly and be audit-ready for applicable regulations. This landing zone integrates controls and continuous real-time monitoring, adapted to multiple industries and jurisdictions.

Thanks to its ability to continuously collect digital evidence, this solution ensures that companies across all industries remain cyber secured, audit-ready, and aligned with latest regulatory standards in their cloud journey. It is available for Fintech customers, with the aim to serve other regulated sectors like pharmaceuticals and aerospace in the coming months.

Thales boosts manufacturing capabilities

With an annual capacity to produce over 200 million banking cards, 12 million identity cards and close to 10 million passport datapages annually, the Singapore Cybersecurity & Digital Identity Manufacturing Competence Centre is a flagship multi-product facility in Asia.

The third MoU marks a new step in the site’s industrial transformation with the integration of advanced smart automation technologies like Collaborative Robots (COBOTs) and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) for transportation, loading & unloading, inspection and machine setups across the production.

This transformation also fuels workforce upskilling, shifting teams toward higher-value roles. By combining human expertise with intelligent automation, the 21,000 square metre site continues to set benchmarks for performance and agility, positioning it amongst Thales’ most competitive production facilities. This factory is fully aligned with Singapore’s ambition as a global hub for advanced, high-tech manufacturing.

“We greatly value Thales’ partnership and commitment to develop a future-ready talent pool and drive transformative impact from Singapore. These investments will reinforce our position as a global innovation hub for frontier technologies, and exemplify how companies can tap on our trusted and comprehensive ecosystem to co-create new solutions in advanced manufacturing,” said Zheng Jingxin, Vice President and Head of Mobility, EDB.

“These agreements illustrate Thales’ continued investment in Singapore, where we are deepening our expertise in technologies like AI, cyber, quantum and cloud, developing home-grown solutions, while transforming our industrial operations to meet customers’ expectations. The support and partnership from the EDB is pivotal and I look forward to bringing the best of our capabilities to strengthen Singapore’s cyber and digital positioning, and advance its manufacturing ambitions,” ​added Emily Tan, Country Director and Chief Executive, Thales in Singapore.

About Thales

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 addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

The Group invests more than €4 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 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.

About Thales in Singapore

Thales established its presence in Singapore in 1973 to support the growth of aerospace activities in Asia. Since then, it has grown to be a leading deep-tech company operating in the Aeronautics (including avionics and air traffic management), Defence, Public Security, Cybersecurity & Digital Identity sectors. Thales in Singapore runs global industrial operations for avionics and digital identity solutions and has a strong commitment to Research, Technology and Innovation, with Centres of Excellence for avionics, defence, inflight entertainment, naval drones, public security, radars and space. With over 2000 employees across four locations, Thales is actively supporting Singapore in driving its digital transformation and Smart Nation ambitions.

Featured image: copyright Thales