Thales gets ID card contract

Defence firm Thales gets first ID card contract.
IPS press release
small Register commentry

"IPS is pleased to announce that Thales has been awarded a four year contract to support IPS in delivering the early releases of the National Identity Scheme (NIS). Thales will work with IPS to design, build, test and operate the technology that will deliver the National Identity Register and support the issuing of Identity Cards from the second half of 2009."

"Thales is a world leader in the provision of mission-critical information systems for the security, aerospace and defence markets. It is a major employer in the UK, with 10,000 employees based at 60 locations."

Thales makes military stuff, including some of the following
Unmanned surveillance drones
and has set up a factory producing night vision goggles in China, which may be in violation of the EU's Arms embargo on China.

Kinda reminds me of Chapter 14 of Naomi Klein's 'The Shock Doctrine' which investigates the involvement of military firms in US domestic security and intelligence systems.