In March of this year, the Norwegian Defence Logistics Organisation awarded Thales Communications a contract for the delivery of SOTAS M2 vehicle intercom systems. The order has an overall value of € 6.5 million Euro. The Norwegian Army will install these multimedia intercom systems in command-post and combat vehicles within 1 year. The first delivery has already taken place in april 2003.

Thales will ensure that SOTAS M2 becomes an integrated part of the information system in the Army and SOTAS M2 open architecture allows futuro growth. SOTAS M2 will together with the tactical communications system TADKOM become the infrastructure of the modernized Norwegian Army.

SotasM2 provides crystal-clear communications between crew members inside and outside vehicles via combat net radios and field cables. Using the latest digital transmission technology, excellent quality voice is distributed over the system. Any noise is filtered out. Being a multimedia system, it can not only carry voice, but also data and images. The highly modular system is a key element in the implementation of the future Tactical Internet, which is the basis for implementation of Network Centric Warfare.

Thales Communications is the global architect of communication and information systems satisfying the operational needs of armed and security forces. Operating in 14 countries, Thales Communications achieves about 1.5 billion Euro of yearly turnover and employs 9000 staff members world-wide.

Thales is a world leader and front-runner in professional electronics in three key markets: Aerospace, Defence and Information Technology & Services. The Group employs 66,500 people in nearly 50 countries around the globe, and generated revenues of over