Sonatech Partners with Thales to Develop Mine Warfare System

Park Seung-su, CEO of Sonatech (left), and Sandy Gillio, Head of Thales Korea, took a commemorative photo after signing the memorandum of understanding.

[Asia Economy Yang Nak-gyu, Military Specialist Reporter] Sonatech (CEO Park Seung-su) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the global company Thales on the 22nd at ‘2022 DX KOREA Korea Defense Industry Exhibition’ held at KINTEX in Ilsan, Gyeonggi-do, for the ‘Joint Research and Development of Mine Warfare Underwater Acoustic Detection Sonar System.’

According to the MOU, Sonatech and Thales will jointly develop a ‘next-generation variable-depth sonar for Mine Countermeasure Vessels (MCMV).’ They plan to combine Thales’ sonar (VDS) technology for mine warfare underwater acoustic detection with Sonatech’s ship-mounted sonar and onboard electronic device technologies to develop a top-performance mine warfare system.

CEO Park Seung-su said, "By collaborating with Thales, which possesses the best technology in underwater mine warfare and underwater acoustic detection, we will successfully develop sonar for mine countermeasure vessels and use this as a stepping stone to become a global defense company."

Sonatech is a leading company in marine and underwater acoustic detection. Since its establishment in 2000, it has designed and manufactured underwater research and surveillance, and marine electronic communication equipment based on the industry’s top underwater acoustic detection technology. Recently, it has expanded its business areas to sonar applications, mobile communication technology, and marine leisure equipment.

Thales is a global company developing and providing products and services in advanced fields such as defense, aerospace, space, transportation, digital ID, and security. It has 81,000 employees in 68 countries worldwide and recorded sales of 16.2 billion euros in 2021 alone.