French firm Thales to open military maintenance base in Japan

French defence company Thales SA will establish a maintenance and operational support base in Japan for military equipment, Euronews, The Japan Times, Malay Mail and Nikkei Asia reported on Monday. The facility could be the first in Japan set up by a foreign defence company to maintain military equipment and support its operation. [1][3][4][5]

The Nikkei business daily reported the announcement following comments from Thales Chairman and Chief Executive Patrice Caine. Caine told the outlet that the planned base will mark a milestone toward the long-term engagement of Thales in Japan. [1]

According to Euronews, neither an opening date nor a location for the base has been revealed. The new maintenance facility is expected to check the condition of military equipment. [1]

The Japan Self-Defense Forces are the military forces of Japan, controlled by the Ministry of Defense with the prime minister as commander-in-chief. Thales Nederland is a subsidiary of the French multinational Thales Group. [7][8]