In France, the international Thales Group, based in Neuilly-sur-Seine, has linked its subdivisions Thales Laser SA of Orsay and DIS (Device hardening, Instrumentation and Safety). Their combined technologies are expected to have applications in the scientific, medical and defense sectors. The DIS unit, based in Colombes, specializes in linear accelerators, cyclotrons and synchrotrons.

The operations are part of Thales Group's Land & Joint division, also in Colombes, which specializes in optronics systems. Thales Laser separated from the company's High Tech Optics business unit to join DIS to strengthen its position in the high-end laser markets.