Thales, a French defence and technology company, reported a 75% increase in defence orders in Q1 2026, reaching €2.24bn, and a nearly 10% rise in overall sales to €5.31bn. The company attributes this growth to heightened demand for its solutions amid geopolitical tensions, particularly in the Middle East. Total orders rose by 27% compared to the previous year, with significant contracts from European countries. Thales expects sales growth of 6-7% for the year.