French forces have received the initial shipment of 300 Thales night vision goggles, part of a larger order made by the French defence procurement agency (DGA) in 2020 under the Bi-NYX contract. This delivery marks the first instalment of a total order for 2,000 sets placed in December 2023, with the remaining 1,700 units expected to be shipped by the end of this year.
The Bi-NYX binocular goggles are specifically optimized for vehicle driving and will complement the 12,960 O-NYX binocular night vision goggles already in use by French Army regiments for dismounted soldiers. This delivery underscores Thales’s capability to meet the high-volume production needs of the French armed forces.
The Bi-NYX goggles build upon the Nellie solution introduced in June 2020, featuring the latest optical and light-intensification technologies. They provide high-resolution stereoscopic vision with an impressive extra-wide field of view of 47°, all in an ultra-lightweight package weighing less than 460 grams.
Designed with two eyepieces and lenses, the Bi-NYX night vision solution offers true stereoscopic vision, crucial for specialist frontline teams and vehicle drivers operating in challenging nighttime and terrain conditions. This new product enhances the existing O-NYX night vision goggles, which have one lens and are tailored for dismounted soldiers.
The Bi-NYX goggles result from a self-funded development project by Thales at its Saint-Héand site, which boasts the capacity to manufacture more than 250 units per month.
“Today we are delighted to be making the first official delivery of our Bi-NYX night vision goggles ordered for the French Army. Once again, we thank the French Army and the French defence procurement agency for their confidence in the night vision systems designed and manufactured by Thales with the support of our partners. We are firmly convinced of the operational benefits of Bi-NYX goggles in night combat situations,” said Benoit Plantier, Vice President of Optronics, Missile Electronics, and Unmanned Air Systems at Thales.
