DUBLIN — The Irish Department of Defence has signed a military procurement agreement with France’s Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) to acquire five deployable air surveillance radars from Thales. The €300M+ procurement covers four Ground Master 400 Alpha (GM400α) 3D long-range radars and one Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission All-in-One (GM200 MM/A) medium-range system. Managed under Ireland’s Military Radar Programme, initial hardware deliveries are slated for 2027, with full operational capability targeted by year-end 2028 to establish the nation’s first military-grade Recognized Air Picture (RAP).
The acquisition addresses critical gaps in Irish airspace sovereignty, enabling the Irish Defence Forces (Óglaigh na hÉireann) to passively detect, track, and identify non-transponding aircraft, low-altitude cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) across its sovereign territory and Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Both radar variants leverage GaN (Gallium Nitride) active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology, high-speed digital beamforming, and advanced processing algorithms designed to maintain persistent target tracks in high-clutter coastal and atmospheric environments. Transportable via standard 20-foot ISO shelter configurations, the high-mobility radars ensure low setup latencies and rapid repositioning to enhance asset survivability against potential targeted strikes.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS: THALES GROUND MASTER RADAR SUITE (IRISH DEFENCE FORCES)
* System Classification: 3D AESA Tactical Air Surveillance & Target Tracking Radar Family
* Prime Manufacturer & Integrator: Thales Group (Surface Radars Division, France)
* Contracting Authority & Partner: Irish Department of Defence / French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA)
* Primary User: Irish Defence Forces (Air Corps / Ground Air Defence Units)
* Fleet Allocation: 4x Ground Master 400 Alpha (GM400α) | 1x Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission All-in-One (GM200 MM/A)
* Program Timeline: Contract execution late 2026; first deliveries 2027; full operational capability (FOC) late 2028
1. THALES GROUND MASTER 400 ALPHA (GM400α) – LONG-RANGE SURVEILLANCE
* Antenna Architecture: S-Band Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) with Gallium Nitride (GaN) T/R modules
* Operational Range & Elevation:
* Instrument Range: Up to 515 km (~278 NM)
* Elevation Coverage: Up to 100,000 feet (30,500 m) | 30° to 40° elevation beam steering
* Performance Parameters:
* Update Rate: 6 seconds (10 RPM continuous rotation)
* Target Spectrum: Low-RCS stealth aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and micro/mini UAVs
* Deployment Architecture: Compact 20-foot ISO container footprint with integrated hydraulic lifting system; C-130 / A400M air-transportable
2. THALES GROUND MASTER 200 MULTI-MISSION ALL-IN-ONE (GM200 MM/A) – MEDIUM-RANGE SURVEILLANCE
* Antenna Architecture: Dual-axis multi-beam S-Band AESA radar operating w/ Gallium Nitride (GaN) semiconductor technology
* Operational Range & Capabilities:
* Instrument Range: Up to 350 km (Air Surveillance) | 100 km (C-RAM / Counter-Battery Mode)
* Functionality: Simultaneous detection and tracking of low-to-high altitude air threats, artillery, mortars, and rockets
* All-in-One Deployment Enclosure:
* Physical Footprint: Single 20-foot ISO container incorporating radar antenna array, hydraulic mast, operator shelter, and Power Generator Unit (PGU)
* Setup Latency: Fully autonomous drive-to-search deployment in under 15 minutes via 8×8 tactical truck
