Thales has opened its 2026 fiscal year with robust first-quarter results, driven by a historic surge in defense orders. The French aerospace, defense, and technology group reported a 27% year-on-year increase in orders to €4.7 billion, while revenue rose nearly 10% to €5.3 billion. This strong performance confirms the company's full-year financial targets for 2026.
The standout performance came from the Defense & Security segment, where orders skyrocketed by 47% to €2.8 billion. This historic jump is attributed to heightened geopolitical tensions globally, which are driving increased defense spending and reinforcing the strategic relevance of Thales's portfolio. Key contracts contributing to this surge include major orders for air defense systems, notably the Ground Master 200 and 400 radars, secure communications equipment, and naval combat systems.
The Aerospace segment also performed solidly, with orders up 7% to €1.4 billion, supported by the ongoing recovery in civil aviation and demand for in-flight entertainment and connectivity systems. The Digital Identity & Security segment saw more modest order growth of 2%, reaching €0.5 billion.
Based on this strong start, Thales reaffirmed its full-year 2026 guidance, which includes organic sales growth between 4% and 6% and an EBIT margin ranging from 12.5% to 13%. The company's order book now stands at a record €46.7 billion, providing high visibility for future revenue. Management highlighted that the current geopolitical climate is creating a sustained cycle of demand for defense and security technologies, positioning Thales for continued growth.