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The UK’s Serious Fraud Office has launched an investigation into defense firm Thales over “serious charges” of bribery and corruption.
The SFO said on Thursday that the investigation was being carried out jointly with France’s Parquet National Financial Prosecutor and that the French listed company had been informed that it was under investigation.
Thales is headquartered in Paris and its UK subsidiary employs over 7,000 staff across 16 locations across the UK. The group is partially owned by the French state and produces technology, sensors and software used in major defense programs such as the Rafale fighter jet. It also provides technology for commercial aircraft.
The company’s facility in Belfast, Northern Ireland, manufactures missiles and launchers, including the shoulder-fired Starstreak missile, which was donated to Ukraine by the British government. Thales also builds sonar systems for Royal Navy submarines.
The case is the first investigation into a major listed company set up under SFO chief Nick Ephgrave, who took over last year. The SFO launched six investigations under Ephgrave, but has faced criticism for not going after larger companies with more international operations.
“Working with international partners is a vital element in the fight against international corruption and we hope to strengthen the long-standing relationship between the SFO and PNF in this case.” he said in a statement.
“We will continue to use all available means to pursue the investigation into these serious allegations,” he added.
Mr Thales confirmed that the SFO and PNF had launched an investigation “in relation to four organizations in France and the UK”. Thales is collaborating with France’s PNF and the UK’s SFO. ”
“The group complies with all national and international regulations. Thales will not comment further as the investigation is ongoing,” it said in a statement.
The news comes after the SFO this week closed a four-year investigation into aircraft manufacturer Bombardier and postponed investigations in the US and Canada.
The SFO said in a statement that overseas authorities were “best placed to take this case to its final stage” and would work with them to progress the investigation.
Additional reporting by Sarah White
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