# Defense supplies nearly all of Thales' nine-month reported sales growth Defense delivered about 94% of the group's nine-month reported sales increase, while third-quarter defense orders fell 6% organically from a year earlier. Published 2026-10-22 by TGOs. Canonical: https://tgos.io/news/2026/10/22/defense-supplies-nearly-all-of-thales-nine-month-reported/ Through September 2026, Thales' defense business supplied nearly all of the group's reported sales increase from a year earlier. The segment contributed €1,098 million of the €1,167 million increase. Defense sales rose 13.3% as reported and 13.0% organically, meaning at constant scope and exchange rates.[1] On a reported basis, Aerospace sales rose 3.2% and Cyber & Digital sales fell 1.6% over the same period.[1] Thales credits increased production capacity with contributing to defense sales growth.[1] The segment maintained double-digit organic sales growth in the third quarter, at 12.8%.[1][2] Third-quarter defense order intake of €3,964 million fell 6% organically from a year earlier.[1] First-half intake had grown 28% organically year over year.[2] Nine-month defense orders reached €11,315 million, up 14% organically.[1] Thales reports particularly sustained demand in the naval domain, in effectors and in air surveillance and air defense.[1] At group level, nine-month organic sales growth reached 8.1%.[1] Thales now expects full-year sales growth at the upper end of its 6% to 7% organic range, potentially beyond it, assuming no new macroeconomic or geopolitical disruptions.[1] ## Why it matters Thales' sales growth rests heavily on defense execution: the segment represents about 57% of nine-month group sales and supplied nearly all of the reported increase.[1] Even with the year-over-year decline, third-quarter defense orders ran ahead of the segment's sales, at about 1.30 times its third-quarter revenue.[1] The defense segment's order book stood at €41.1 billion on June 30.[2] ## Sources 1. Thales reports its order intake and sales as of September 30, 2026 (press release, Oct. 22, 2026) 2. Thales reports its 2026 half-year results (press release, July 23, 2026)