Thales has announced the order of its 100th CAPTAS variable depth sonar system, marking what the company describes as a major milestone in its long-running role as a leader in anti-submarine warfare (ASW) technology.

Developed through more than three decades of collaboration with the British, French and Italian navies, the CAPTAS range now equips 17 different ship classes across 17 navies worldwide, including vessels ranging from corvettes under 1,000 tonnes to full-scale frigates and destroyers.

The CAPTAS family, short for Combined Active-Passive Towed Array Sonar, is designed to deliver long-range, 360-degree underwater detection and tracking even in complex acoustic environments. According to Thales, this capability gives naval forces critical early warning and tactical advantage beneath the surface.

The company said the system’s success lies in its modularity and ability to integrate with diverse naval platforms, establishing CAPTAS as a reference system for NATO and allied navies seeking advanced ASW capability.

Thales added that the sonar’s evolution continues to be driven by artificial intelligence, multi-sensor data fusion, and operational feedback from users.

Sébastien Guérémy, Thales Vice-President for underwater warfare activities, said the milestone reflects the company’s enduring partnership with allied maritime forces. “As a result of long-standing cooperation with more than 50 navies worldwide, our deep understanding of their needs makes the CAPTAS system an essential choice for current and future anti-submarine missions.”