Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Aerospace
  • /
  • Lyons hails innovation and resilience of Thales Belfast

Aerospace

Lyons hails innovation and resilience of Thales Belfast

Economy Minister Gordon Lyons has commended Thales Belfast on its continuing innovation and resilience throughout the pandemic.

Above: Economy Minister Gordon Lyons (centre) with Philip McBride, Managing Director and David Gilleece, Operations Director, Thales Belfast.
Courtesy Thales Belfast

The Minister visited the Thales facility at Castlereagh where he received an update on the company’s Belfast and wider UK operations and viewed the business’s Covid safe working practices.
Speaking after the visit, the Minister said: “Thales has a 60-year heritage in Northern Ireland in leading-edge, high technology engineering, employing around 500 people and sustaining a significant wider local supply chain.

Advertisement
ODU RT

“The company has shown great resilience through what has been a very challenging period, continuing to innovate and push the local engineering sector forward, whilst putting in place safe working practices for company staff.

“The company’s position as a global leader was underlined by its recent success in securing a significant contract from the Ministry of Defence and its impressive presence at the Defence and Security Equipment International Exhibition in London earlier this month.

“I found my visit to be engaging and enlightening and I wish the company the very best for the future.”

Advertisement
ODU RT

Philip McBride, Managing Director of Thales Belfast, said: “We were delighted to host Minister Lyons at our facility in Castlereagh, where we showed him our leading edge technology, developed by Thales Belfast and underpinned by our supply chain in Northern Ireland.

“Our ongoing success allows us to continue to provide highly skilled jobs in Northern Ireland and supports the development of the next generation of engineering excellence, and we are incredibly grateful for the continued support of the Northern Ireland Executive and Invest Northern Ireland in that endeavour.”

 

Advertisement
General Atomics LB
Stansted celebrates UK Airports Health & Safety Week

Aerospace Events

Stansted celebrates UK Airports Health & Safety Week

15 May 2026

Teams from right across London Stansted have come together this week to mark UK Airports Health & Safety Week 2026, with a wide ranging programme of events focused on keeping people safe at work and supporting health and wellbeing.

West of England residents back Bristol Airport expansion

Aerospace

West of England residents back Bristol Airport expansion

15 May 2026

A YouGov poll of people in the West of England has found that twice as many support the expansion of Bristol Airport’s capacity than oppose.

Iridium to acquire Aireon

Aerospace Space

Iridium to acquire Aireon

15 May 2026

Iridium Communications Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Aireon LLC, operator of the world's only space-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) air traffic surveillance system, with the transaction unifying the world's only space-based air traffic surveillance system with the satellite network it was ...

CAA publishes consultation on shortlist of Heathrow regulatory models for expansion

Aerospace

CAA publishes consultation on shortlist of Heathrow regulatory models for expansion

15 May 2026

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has today launched a consultation on a shortlist of regulatory models that could apply to capacity expansion at Heathrow Airport.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Prof. Malcolm Macdonald assumes Presidency of RAeS

Aerospace

Prof. Malcolm Macdonald assumes Presidency of RAeS

14 May 2026

Professor Malcolm Macdonald FRAeS assumes the Presidency of the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS) - the oldest aeronautical society in the world and the only professional body dedicated to the entire aerospace community - taking up the post of President following the formal announcement at the Society’s AGM this month.

Farnborough Airport to display Richard Cresswell

Aerospace Events

Farnborough Airport to display Richard Cresswell's Spitfire-inspired sculpture

14 May 2026

Farnborough Airport has announced the installation of a striking aviation-inspired sculpture in partnership with The Sculpture Park, Farnham, which will be on display at the Airport from early May through to the beginning of August 2026.

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
FIA2026 animated banner