Thales pitches AI command system to Gulf states
Thales is promoting its HexaForce command-and-control system, which uses artificial intelligence, to countries in the Gulf. A company vice president said the platform is designed around open standards and can keep operational data within a customer nation to support sovereignty. HexaForce was introduced in September and has been tested in a NATO exercise, though it has not yet been used in combat.
Thales, a French aerospace and defense firm, is offering its HexaForce command-and-control platform to Gulf countries. Executive Patrick Moreau said the system addresses operational needs and sovereignty through open standards, though he would not discuss specific Middle East customers.
Unveiled in September, HexaForce uses AI, including agentic and large language model components, to help operators handle large data volumes and propose targeting options. It has been tested in a NATO exercise in Poland but not in combat; operational data would remain with the customer nation.
If adopted, AI-enabled command systems could affect Gulf militaries, defense planners, and local technology partners by speeding data analysis and decision-making. They may also raise societal questions about oversight, data sovereignty, and the risks of AI-assisted targeting advice. Citizens and civil society could seek clearer rules on how such tools are used, while regional stability may depend on how carefully governments integrate them.