Thales and Schlumberger/Sema signed an agreement on the acquisition of the defence activities of Sema GmbHin the field of naval C3I and training and simulation, including Computer Systems GmbH. The agreement was signed on 31 May 2002, following the approval of the Bundeskartellamt (the German State merger control authority). Sema GmbH and Sema Computer Systems GmbH were companies fully owned by the Schlumberger group, with a staff of 130 in Wilhelmshaven and Bremen, realising an annual turnover of EUR 12 million. The new company is going to trade under the name of Thales System Integration GmbH.

This agreement fits into Thales policy of establishing a multidomestic presence. Through this acquisition, the Thales Naval Business Group increases its presence in Germany. Together with other Thales plants in Kiel, Hamburg and Wilhelmshaven, the total number of staff in naval activities amounts to 350. This base of highly qualified staff strengthens Thales' position and allows it to play a significant role in German programmes, in particular in the command and control market. It also provides an entry into the market for software maintenance and modifications, areas in which Sema GmbH is specialized.

Sema GmbH and Thales are both trusted suppliers of the German Navy and already co-operate on the current F-124 frigate and the new K130 corvette program.

Thales is a European leader and front-runner in professional electronics in three key markets: Aerospace, Defence and Information Technology. The Group employs 65,000 people worldwide of whom 50 % are based outside of France. Present in nearly 50 countries, Thales generated revenues of over 10 billion Euros in 2001, 75% of which came from international sales.