Dr. Marko Erman, Chief Scientific Officer at Thales Group, a French multinational specializing in aerospace, defense, and digital security, affirmed this during a recent media briefing ahead of the French Tech Summit Vietnam 2025, scheduled to open on May 27 in Ho Chi Minh City.

Noting Thales’ long-standing relationship with Vietnam spanning over 30 years, Dr. Erman expressed satisfaction that this partnership has consistently pursued a long-term strategy through collaborations with major Vietnamese companies such as VNPT, Viettel, and FPT.

Regarding prospects for France–Vietnam cooperation, he expressed optimism that recent bilateral agreements, including the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership signed in October 2024, have established a favorable framework for technology investments.

Vietnam is undergoing a comprehensive digital transformation and aims to become a key technological player in Southeast Asia. The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between France and Vietnam, signed in October 2024, creates a favorable framework for long-term cooperation in strategic sectors and shows a shared commitment to supporting Vietnam’s technological goals, he said.

Thales has supplied the Vietnamese armed forces with advanced technologies in anti-submarine warfare, surveillance radar, and electro-optics. Exchanges with the Vietnamese Ministry of Defence have intensified in recent years, opening promising opportunities in air defence, counter-drone systems, and naval defence.

On Vietnam’s potential role in Thales’ global supply chain, Dr. Erman highlighted the country’s young, highly skilled workforce, which fuels dynamic research and development in AI and cybersecurity applications. He noted that Thales’ AI computing platforms require specialized electronic components, and Vietnam’s expertise in electronics could serve as an initial step in the supply chain.

Regarding capacity building, he recommended Vietnam continue advancing STEM fields throughout its university system.

Regarding capacity building, he recommended Vietnam continue advancing the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) throughout its university system. He particularly proposed establishing foundational AI training that can be combined with advanced technical education on defense equipment. Such programs would be highly beneficial, as combining AI knowledge with military applications enables precise understanding of AI’s unique defense requirements.

Regarding capacity building, he recommended Vietnam continue advancing the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) throughout its tertiary education system.

He also underscored the importance of investing in advanced research on machine learning and developing sophisticated algorithms, which are essential for accelerating innovation in cybersecurity and defence.

Encouraging international exchange programs and internships at leading global research centers would help Vietnamese experts access the latest technological advances in critical fields.

Proud of Thales’ achievements, Dr. Erman shared that the group has been working on AI for critical systems for more than 30 years. The company recently launched CortAix, an AI accelerator gathering 800 specialists working on over 100 concrete use cases, especially for defence systems.

Concerning the link between AI and cybersecurity, he emphasized that AI enables the design of more sophisticated and large-scale attacks but also helps defense better predict attack patterns and detect subtle intrusion signals more effectively than any other technique.

The French Tech Summit Vietnam 2025, themed “Year of Innovation” for France–Vietnam cooperation, will boost bilateral ties, especially in high-tech sectors. Thales will participate under the topic “Comprehensive AI: reliable, sovereign, and secure.”

With over three decades of AI research and development for critical systems, Thales is ready to expand cooperation with Vietnam as the country moves forward with its digital transformation.

Vietnam eyes stronger trade, investment links with France's northern region

A delegation from the Vietnamese Embassy in France, led by Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang, paid a working visit to the Hauts-de-France region from April 13–16, aiming to boost local-level cooperation as Vietnam and France recently upgraded their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.