Thales Optronics is producing some of the most advanced sighting systems in service today, combining digital precision with long-established optical engineering.
The True Hunter family represents the newest generation of the company’s vehicle-mounted targeting and observation systems, designed for use across a range of platforms.
On site I was told that True Hunter systems will equip the British Army’s Challenger 3 and Ajax vehicles, and that the German Army is evaluating them for the Boxer Scout Vehicle. Thales confirmed that it supplies both the commander’s and gunner’s sights for Challenger 3, as well as the complete sighting system for Ajax. Staff also said the German Army is integrating the True Hunter Gimbal onto the Boxer Scout Vehicle, describing this as the first instance of Germany selecting a non domestic sighting solution.
On the production line I was told that the same area supports both Challenger 3 and Ajax work. I was shown the Challenger 3 gunner’s sight, along with ballistic shields, mirrors and stabilisation systems at different points in assembly. Staff said the company considers itself recognised worldwide for the quality of its optics, and that this reputation anchors the broader True Hunter offering.
Each unit delivers a stabilised view of the battlefield in demanding conditions. The design is compact and modular, reflecting decades of refinement. Engineers explained that many components, including the Catherine thermal imaging camera, are shared across the range and used in both the True Hunter Gimbal and remote weapon stations.
Thales described its purpose as providing the ability to see where possible without being seen.
The True Hunter gunner’s sight uses stabilisation technology first developed for submarine systems and later adapted for armoured vehicles. The range includes the Commander Sight, the Gunner Sight and the True Hunter Gimbal. Each combines visible light cameras, thermal imaging, laser rangefinders and short wave infrared sensors within a single stabilised package. At the core is a compact sensor module known as Sasha.
I was shown Sasha, the sensor package at the heart of the system. I was told it is only slightly larger than a shoe box yet houses eight cameras. The central circular aperture is the thermal imaging camera, while the rectangular opening contains the laser rangefinder.
During the tour, I was told that field maintenance has been deliberately simplified. Staff explained that an operator removes the top plate, undoes three screws, disconnects the cabling, swaps the module and allows the unit to run an automatic calibration. The entire process is said to take about five minutes.
This modular structure is intended to speed up replacements and upgrades, reduce downtime and keep vehicles available. Staff added that new control interfaces are being developed for future crews.
The company highlighted its environmental testing regime and said that True Hunter continued to operate under severe heat and humidity in conditions where other systems failed. According to Thales, this demonstrated both the robustness of the design and the advantages of the miniaturisation achieved within the Sasha sensor package.
Staff also pointed to the company’s export record and the operational impact of its systems. I was told that Giraffe air defence alerting devices supplied to Ukraine continue to provide early warning against aircraft and drones. They also drew a connection between the miniaturisation work behind True Hunter and the development of the next generation of submarine mast systems, saying that the effort to compress multiple sensors into the Sasha module has carried over into the naval programme.
Next to a demonstration unit I was told that the system can rotate through a full circle and that an ultra high definition camera is currently in development. I was also told that the system has been selected for the European Joint Fire Support project.
Staff said the company continues to move technologies between naval and land programmes, applying shared design principles for sensors and stabilisation. On the production floor the message remained consistent. I was told that there is a strong level of commitment among the workforce and that this is considered essential for maintaining precision and performance across the product line.
This continuity of skill and precision defines the True Hunter line. From the stabilised sights of Challenger 3 to the compact sensor cores that support new naval systems, the technology reflects Thales’ long term focus on high performance optronics.
Off Topic: In other news we have the Russian spy ship Yantar firing lasers at the RAF (presumably dazzlers). The UK had already deployed a frigate and a P8 to monitor the situation. Healey tells us he has altered the RN’s terms of engagement to “monitor the ship more closely”.
At what point do we send a literal shot across the bows?
So the same optics on Ajax are on the Boxer CRV variant, so potentially if there is a cover up with Ajax and vibration, there is a logical choice. Wheeled rather than tracks and simpler crew conversion?
It would be a mobility trade off.