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• On 17 September 2024, Thales Australia and Denmark’s Våbenfabrikken announced that they are entering into a strategic cooperation to establish a new industrial capability in Denmark to produce NATO interoperable small arms.
• The cooperation, and resulting outcomes, signal for the first time since the 1960’s that military assault rifles will be produced in Denmark, providing an industrial capability to produce, maintain and sustain small arms in this country.
• The first tranche will explore options for small arms production in Denmark; commencing with a Danish version of the Australian Combat Assault Rifle (ACAR). The ACAR is currently under development by Thales Australia, and is based on a proven design in-use with allied defence forces and law enforcement agencies.
• The cooperation between Thales and Våbenfabrikken aligns with the overall Danish defence strategy and supports Thales’s ambition to partner with local industry and develop sovereign supply chains to the benefit of our customers.
Under the terms of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Thales and Våbenfabrikken will work together to establish a new industrial capability in Denmark with the aim of producing, maintaining and sustaining interoperable small arms in Denmark. The MoU was signed on 17th of September 2024 at an official signing ceremony at Våbenfabrikken’s premises in Denmark.
Våbenfabrikken is an established gunsmith and weapons training provider, with decades of cumulative experience in the industry. By partnering with Thales Australia, Våbenfabrikken’s ability to support Danish national security priorities will be enhanced through sovereign small arms production, local maintenance capabilities and future skills development.
“We are very excited to work with Thales to bring a NATO small arms production and through-life-support capacity to Denmark for the first time in nearly 60 years. This cooperation is a real opportunity for Våbenfabrikken to grow, in terms of product offerings and staff, to better respond to the priorities and needs of Danish National Security. The DACAR (Danish/Australian Combat Assault Rifle) is a powerful capability and, once in country, over time it will offer additional export opportunities for Denmark.”, says Kim Wiencken, Chairman of the Board of Våbenfabrikken.
“This agreement is the culmination of mutual effort, investment and trust between Våbenfabrikken, Thales Australia and Thales Denmark. This cooperation brings opportunities for both Australia, in respect to regional manufacturing, and Denmark through the provision of small arms assembly, sustainment and maintenance. We’re looking forward to working closely with Våbenfabrikken in the coming years.”, said Matt Duquemein, Director Integrated Weapons System, Thales Australia.
“There is great development in the Danish defence industry, with promising new companies, and it has always been part of Thales’s DNA to support the local defence industry in order to maximise the benefit for our customers. Bringing the Australian Combat Assault Rifle (ACAR) to Denmark is a step towards creating a sovereign small arms capability to support the Danish MoD in the future. With this important cooperation, Thales and Våbenfabrikken will be committed to strengthening the local defence industrial footprint in support of overall Danish national security and security of supply in key areas.” said Martin Soegaard, CEO ofThales Denmark.
About Thales
Thales (thalesgroup.com) is a global leader in advanced technologies specialized in three business domains: Defence & Security, Aeronautics & Space, and Cybersecurity & Digital identity. It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive. The Group invests close to €4 billion a year in Research & Development, particularly in key innovation areas such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, cloud technologies and 6G. Thales has close to 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2023, the Group generated sales of €18.4 billion.
About Thales in Australia
Thales in Australia and New Zealand is a trusted partner of the Australian Defence Force across the Land, Sea and Air environment. Thales employs over 4,300 people in Australia, across 35 sites and supports over 2,000 jobs along its Australian supply chain. Thales Australia designs Australian weapons for military markets including the EF88 rifle at its Small Arms Production Facility in Lithgow, Australia.
About Våbenfabrikken
Våbenfabrikken (vaabenfabrikken.dk) is a high-end gunsmith, firearms training facility and gun dealer business in Denmark, with expert knowledge in fireams construction, use and training. Våbenfabrikken combines the long-standing tradition of Danish design, craftsmanship and knowhow, with a modern end-user focus. Våbenfabrikken is located in the municipality of Albertslund in Denmark.
Contacts
Thales Denmark Media: Anne Sofie Hüttemeier, Communication Manager, Northern & Central Europe
P: +45 51158914 - E: anne-sofie.huttemeier[.]thalesgroup.com.
Thales Australia Media: E: media.enquiries[.]thalesgroup.com.au.
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camille.heck[.]thalesgroup.com 
