Thales to provide Ireland with advanced radar systems

Ireland is set to acquire five long-range and multi-mission radar systems from the French manufacturer Thales to establish the nation’s first fully Recognised Air Picture. The contract, signed through France’s Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA), includes four GM400α long-range radars and one GM200 MM/A multi-mission radar.

The procurement aims to address critical capability gaps within the Irish Defence Forces. Currently, Ireland lacks the ability to identify or track aircraft that do not emit a transponder, a deficiency that has been noted as a risk to both military and civilian aviation following incursions by Russian aircraft into Irish-controlled airspace.

First deliveries of the equipment are scheduled to begin in 2027. The GM400α sensors feature a six-second update rate and are designed for rapid deployment in 20-foot ISO containers, while the GM200 MM/A system can be deployed within 15 minutes from a single truck-transportable shelter.