# Ireland military radar procurement

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/ireland-military-radar-procurement
> Updated: 2026-10-06T13:17:10.000Z. Sources: 7. Developments: 3.

Ireland has entered into an intergovernmental agreement with France to procure five long-range military radar systems from Thales. The contract, signed between the Irish Ministry of Defence and the French Ministry of the Armed Forces, is part of a broader military radar program valued between 300 and 500 million EUR intended to build a comprehensive surveillance and defense network.

The procurement includes four GM400α long-range radars, capable of detecting aircraft up to 515 kilometers away, and one GM200 MM/A multi-mission radar with a 350-kilometer range. These systems are intended to establish the nation’s first fully ‘Recognised Air Picture’ and address critical capability gaps, specifically the inability to track aircraft that do not emit a transponder. This move is intended to end nearly four decades of reliance on the United Kingdom for airspace monitoring.

The equipment is designed for rapid deployment; the radars are housed in standard 20-foot ISO containers with integrated lifting systems, allowing the GM200 MM/A system to be deployed within approximately 15 minutes. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2027, with final deliveries and full operational capability expected by the end of 2028. The broader defense project is also expected to include anti-drone systems and other components.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-06: Ireland to procure Thales radars for new air surveillance network

Ireland has contracted French company Thales to provide Ground Master radars, establishing its own primary air surveillance network and ending decades of reliance on the United Kingdom.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ireland-to-procure-thales-radars-for-new-air-surveillance-network

### 2026-10-02: Thales to provide Ireland with advanced radar systems

Ireland will acquire five Thales radar systems through France's DGA to establish its first fully Recognised Air Picture and address critical airspace surveillance gaps.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/thales-to-provide-ireland-with-advanced-radar-systems

### 2026-09-21: Ireland to procure five Thales radar systems from France

Ireland has signed an intergovernmental agreement with France to purchase five Thales long-range radar systems, part of a defense program valued at up to 500 million EUR.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/ireland-to-procure-five-thales-radar-systems-from-france

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Cite as: Ireland military radar procurement. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/ireland-military-radar-procurement