Thales to Supply Handheld Thermal Imagers to the Canadian Army

Thales Canada is pleased to announce that the Government of Canada has awarded a contract to Thales Canada for the acquisition of its Sophie Ultima Handheld Thermal Imager (HHTI) as part of the Night Vision Systems Modernization (NVSM) project. This award marks an important advancement in Canada’s defence capabilities, ensuring that the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are equipped with cutting-edge technology designed to excel in complex and challenging operational environments.

The Sophie Ultima, a lightweight, handheld thermal imager, is engineered to deliver extraordinary performance in the field. With a high performance infrared channel, it offers NATO tank recognition range performance of up to 6 kilometres. The continuous optical zoom and wide 20° field of view enable operators to maintain visual contact with targets during detection, recognition, and identification phases, ensuring rapid and precise engagement.

Thales will manufacture and maintain the Sophie Ultima at its existing Canadian Electro-Optics Center of Excellence, further strengthening Canada’s defence industrial base. This initiative will create new jobs and spur economic growth, expanding Thales’s current supply chain within Canada. In addition, the Thales Optronics facility in Montreal will provide comprehensive in-service support, ensuring that the Canadian Armed Forces benefit from a dedicated repair facility with rapid turnaround, reducing equipment downtime.

“Thales is committed to delivering advanced, reliable, and locally supported solutions like the Sophie Ultima,” said Benoit Plantier, Vice President, Optronics, Missile Electronics and Unmanned Air Systems, Thales.