Enhancing Danish Air Defense: Thales Ground Master 200 Radar Deal

Radar Ground Master 200 Multi Mission Compact © Thales

(IN BRIEF) The Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) has signed an agreement with the Netherlands Defence procurement agency COMMIT for the acquisition of five Thales Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission Compact radars. These radars will enhance situational awareness, operational capabilities, and air defense for the Danish Air Force. The collaboration reflects the growing need for advanced radar systems to address evolving threats, including drones, in modern warfare. Thales’ Ground Master 200 MM/C radar offers simultaneous detection, tracking, and classification of various threats, including drones, and can be easily deployed in different scenarios. Thales is a recognized leader in air surveillance and defense technologies.

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 31-Oct-2023 — /EuropaWire/ —  Thales (EPA: HO), a French multinational company active in the aerospace, defence, transportation and security markets, announces that the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) has formalized an agreement with the Netherlands Defence procurement agency COMMIT (Commando Materieel en IT) for the acquisition of five cutting-edge Thales Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission Compact radars.

These state-of-the-art radars, provided by Thales, are set to revolutionize situational awareness, operational superiority, fire support, and weapon location capabilities for the Danish Air Force. They will play a pivotal role in air surveillance and air defense missions, enhancing the nation’s security and sovereignty.

As a renowned European leader in systems-of-systems integration, Thales leverages its extensive expertise in air surveillance and air defense to assist nations in safeguarding their territorial integrity and national security.

This collaborative effort builds upon robust international NATO cooperation and underscores the strategic bilateral defense ties between Denmark and the Netherlands. DALO’s agreement with COMMIT marks a significant step forward in enhancing Denmark’s defense capabilities.

In today’s dynamic threat landscape, which includes traditional and emerging challenges like drone warfare, swift and early detection is crucial for maintaining a tactical advantage and safeguarding critical assets. Modern Autonomous Unmanned Vehicles (UAVs) can elude conventional radar systems, posing a unique challenge. Adversaries can exploit the low speed and coordinated attack capabilities of these aircraft to saturate the airspace during conflicts.

The Thales Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission Compact radar (GM200 MM/C), part of the Ground Master 200 family, has been meticulously designed to address these modern warfare challenges. It prioritizes operational excellence and aligns with military doctrine, offering simultaneous, precise detection, tracking, and classification capabilities against a spectrum of current and future threats, including drones. The system leverages new-generation 4D Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology*, automatically identifying and classifying aircraft, missiles, helicopters, multiple UAVs, and RAM (Rockets, Artillery, and Mortar). This radar system is ideally suited for air surveillance, air defense, and weapon locating.

Furthermore, the GM200 MM/C boasts a compact design, allowing for flexible deployment options from fixed locations to high mobility scenarios. It ensures rapid deployment, ease of transportation on various platforms, and capitalizes on the latest software-defined radar technology. This technology enables future upgrades and expanded capabilities to effectively address evolving threats and doctrines.

Thales has a rich history of expertise in all facets of air surveillance and air defense, encompassing drone countermeasures to ballistic missile defense. The company provides a comprehensive suite of solutions, including surface radars, airborne radars, command centers, communication systems and equipment, and various types of effectors.

This collaborative effort between DALO, COMMIT, and Thales represents a significant advancement in enhancing Denmark’s defense capabilities and reinforces the commitment to securing the nation against emerging threats in the ever-changing landscape of modern warfare.

“I am very happy that we are now acquiring new, mobile radars for airspace surveillance. This is an advanced capability that the Armed Forces badly need, not least in light of the current serious political security situation, says Lieutenant General, Kim Jesper Jørgensen, chief of the Danish Ministry of Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO).

“Cooperation is important, especially among the smaller countries in Europe. The acquisition of the GM200 MM/C is an example of how allies can help each other in strengthening their defence forces by interoperable materiel. In addition, it is an advantage that both Denmark and the Netherlands have identical configurations of the GM200 MM/C, which enables cooperation for identical future updates and support, says Vice admiral Jan Willem Hartman, Commander at COMMIT.

“This Government-to-Government contract will provide the Danish Air Force and the Dutch Armed Forces with a common radar platform for future collaboration. Thales contributes to the safety and security of military personnel and high value assets in European NATO countries and is proud to support nations in their mission for air sovereignty, says Gerben Edelijn, CEO Thales Netherlands.

*AESA: Active Electronically Scanned Array (a unique dual axis multi-beam providing unrestricted beam steering flexibility in elevation and bearing)

Media contacts:

Alice Pruvot, Head of Media Relations, Aeronautics & Defense
+33 7 70 27 11 37 alice.pruvot@thalesgroup.com

Lynne Scott WALTERS
4521191441 Lynne.Scott-WALTERS@thalesgroup.com

Camille Heck, Thales, Media Relations Land & Naval Defence
+33 (0)6 73 78 33 63 camille.heck@thalesgroup.com

SOURCE: Thales