At Thales’ Glasgow site, more than a century of engineering heritage meets the future of armoured warfare. In this interview, Iain Carrie, Deputy Director, Land Optronics at Thales, shares how the company’s long-standing philosophy of enabling crews to see first and act first continues to shape the design of modern combat systems. From the precision optronics developed for the British Army’s Boxer and Challenger 3 programmes to the integration of AI through DigitalCrew, the discussion explores how technology is being used to shorten decision cycles, enhance situational awareness and improve survivability on the battlefield.
Drawing on deep expertise rooted in Glasgow’s unique industrial legacy, Iain also reflects on the importance of UK-based innovation, resilient supply chains and the role of advanced sensors, counter-drone capabilities and autonomous systems in addressing today’s evolving threats. Together, these insights reveal how Thales is combining heritage and innovation to deliver future-ready capability while protecting those who operate at the front line.