RC Fornax wins place on Thales engineering framework in boost to key client relationship Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock
RC Fornax PLC (AIM:RCFX), the defence engineering consultancy, has been selected by Thales UK to join its niche supplier framework for sonar and naval architecture work.
The agreement, awarded after a competitive bidding process, runs for three years with an option for a further two-year extension.
The win marks a significant step in rebuilding one of the company’s most important client relationships.
Thales has historically accounted for around 30% of RC Fornax’s revenue, though activity was scaled back recently while the company worked to strengthen the relationship.
RC Fornax said its inclusion in the framework provides a clear pathway to renewed and expanded engagement with the French defence group.
The board described the opportunity as strategically significant, saying it underlines the company’s capability in highly specialised naval engineering and strengthens its position as a long-term partner to tier-one defence contractors.
Paul Reeves, chief executive of RC Fornax, said the award represents “tangible progress in one of our most important client relationships” and validates the company’s strategy of moving from project-based work to structured, long-term partnerships.
“The potential scale of this opportunity, together with the renewed momentum we are experiencing in client engagement, gives the board confidence in the outlook for the company,” he added.
Dave Williams, procurement director for underwater systems at Thales UK, said the group is committed to supporting the UK sonar industry and UK small and medium-sized enterprises, adding: “We are looking forward to developing our relationship with RC Fornax.”
Thales is a global leader in defence, aerospace, cyber and digital technologies, employing more than 85,000 people across 65 countries.
The group spends approximately £575 million annually with UK suppliers and commits £150 million each year to small and medium-sized enterprises.
RC Fornax delivers outcome-based engineering solutions to critical defence platforms.