Lithuania Acquires Thales Ground Master 200 Radars for Enhanced Defense Capabilities

Lithuania Acquires Thales Ground Master 200 Radars for Enhanced Defense Capabilities

(IN BRIEF) Lithuania’s Defence Material Agency (DMA) has entered into an agreement with the Dutch procurement Agency COMMIT to procure Thales Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission Compact radars (GM200 MM/C). These advanced radars are designed to provide simultaneous detection, tracking, and classification of a wide range of threats, including drones, missiles, helicopters, and more. Equipped with 4D AESA technology, the GM200 MM/C offers enhanced situational awareness and supports weapon location and air defense. The compact and cyber-secured radar system ensures flexibility, ease of deployment, and future upgradability, contributing to Lithuania’s defense capabilities and strengthening European defense cooperation.

(PRESS RELEASE) PARIS, 4-Jan-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — Building on the strong international NATO cooperation as well as strategic bilateral defence ties, the Lithuanian Defence Material Agency signed an agreement with Dutch procurement Agency COMMIT for the acquisition of Thales Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission Compact radars (GM200 MM/C).

Designed to address modern warfare’s challenges, the GM200 MM/C, provides simultaneous accurate detection, tracking and classification against all current and future threats, including drones. It offers radar operators with more time-on-target to gather as much information on incoming threats as possible thanks to new-generation 4D AESA technology*. The system automatically detects tracks, classifies aircraft, missiles, helicopters, multiple Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Rockets, Artillery and Mortar (RAM), and is particularly suited to weapon location and air defence.

Cyber-secured by design, the GM200 MM/C also benefits from the latest software defined radar technology, enabling future upgrades and capabilities expansion to manage the ever-evolving spectrum of changing threats and doctrines. Additionally, the compact design of the GM200 MM/C provides ease of choice from fixed location mode to high mobility, very short deployment times and ease of transportation on any platform. Lithuanian partner ELSIS will support Thales in this project, collaborating on the vehicle integration part of the solution.

Thales has a long-standing and comprehensive expertise of air surveillance and air defence, from detection to neutralization. Its high technologies can address all types of threat, from drone countermeasures to ballistic missile defence surface radars, airborne radars, command centres, communication systems and equipment, counter battery and different types of effectors.

“Acquisition and delivery of Multi Mission radars Thales GM200 MM/C will be another step in strengthening the Lithuanian Armed Forces’ artillery capability. Moreover, the joint procurement provides a lot of opportunities for enhanced cooperation with NATO allies in the field of acquisition and support”, Mr. Sigitas Dzekunskas, Director of Defence Materiel Agency under the Ministry of National Defence of Republic of Lithuania.

“This Government-to-Government contract between the Netherlands and Lithuania illustrates the strong European defence cooperation. We are proud to be a part of this collaboration between NATO countries for which our GM200 MM/C will increase the safety and security of military personnel and high value assets.”, 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)

Note to editors:

Ground Master 200 Multi Mission Family

The Ground Master 200 Multi Mission family (GM200 MM) is the new generation of Thales’ medium range ground radar including Thales 4D AESA technology. It benefits from Thales GM200 and NS100/200 technology background and many years fielded experience of more than 20 user groups.

• The Ground Master 200 Multi Mission “compact” version (GM200 MM/C) is a pallet version offering high tactical mobility and quick deployment, as well as specific mission capabilities such as artillery Counter Battery and Weapon Locating. It also suits well Very Short-Range Air Defence and Short Range Air Defence (VSHOR/SHORAD) missions as its GM200 MM/A brother.
• The Ground Master 200 Multi Mission “all in one” (GM200 MM/A) targeting mainly Air Surveillance, as well as Ground-Based Air Defence (GBAD) operations (up to low level Medium Range Air Defence – MRAD). It maintains the well-known GM200 integrated Command and Control shelter and facilitates space for the radar mast to gain elevation for low-level air surveillance and two operators on board.
• Both Ground Master 200 Multi Mission radars are easy to transport, optimized for network centric remote operations, and ultimately save time in planning, training and operation.

4D AESA family

• Thales’ scalable and upgradable antenna architecture is the core of Thales’ medium- and long-range 4D AESA radar family (NS50, NS100/200, GM200 MM, SMART-L MM / F, Sea Fire and Ground Fire).The fully digital & software-defined 4D AESA radar technology offers upgrade capacity over the whole life cycle to permanently maintain the tailored operational capability against evolving threats, including enhanced tracking & classification performance.

Media Contacts:

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

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

SOURCE: Thales