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Britain’s Serious Fraud Office has opened an investigation into “serious allegations” of suspected bribery and corruption against defense company Thales.
The SFO said on Thursday that the investigation was being conducted jointly with the financial prosecutor of France’s Parquet Nationale Financier and that the French-listed company had been informed that it was under investigation.
Thales is headquartered in Paris and its UK subsidiary employs over 7,000 staff at 16 locations in the UK. The group, which is partly owned by the French state, develops technology, sensors and software used in major defense programs such as the Rafale fighter jet. It also provides technology for civilian aircraft.
Its facility in Belfast, Northern Ireland makes missiles and launchers, including the shoulder-fired Starstreak missile donated by the Ukrainian government. Thales also makes sonar systems for Royal Navy submarines.
The case is the first investigation into a major public company opened under SFO director Nick Effgrave, who took over the agency last year. The SFO has opened six investigations under Ephgrave but has faced criticism for not pursuing larger companies with more international operations.
“Working closely with our international partners is a key element in the fight against international corruption and with this case I hope to further strengthen the long-standing relationship between the SFO and the PNF,” Ephgrave said in a statement. “
“Together we will vigorously pursue every avenue in our investigation into these serious allegations,” he added.
Thales confirmed that the SFO and PNF have “launched investigations into four of its facilities in France and the UK. Thales is cooperating with the PNF in France and the SFO in the UK.”
“The group complies with all national and international regulations. As the investigation is ongoing, Thales will not comment further,” it said in a statement.
The news comes after the SFO this week adjourned a four-year investigation into aircraft maker Bombardier in the US and Canada.
The SFO said in a statement that overseas authorities were “best placed to take this case to its final stages” and that the agency would work with its counterparts in their investigations.
Additional reporting by Sarah White
