France has chosen Thales Alenia Space to spearhead the development of the radar payload and user ground segment for the DESIR program, a key initiative focused on advancing domestic radar imaging capabilities for military applications. This program is designed to enhance various dual-use missions, such as environmental monitoring, crisis response, and maritime surveillance.
The DESIR initiative leverages Thales Alenia Space’s extensive experience in Earth observation and ground segment technologies. It will utilize synthetic aperture radar to deliver all-weather imaging capabilities, complementing the existing optical systems in use. The development of the radar will also involve teams specializing in radar altimetry, while the user ground segment will harness systems that have already been effectively deployed in previous export missions.
The radar demonstrator is slated to enter service in early 2029, after which it will undergo a two-year operational evaluation by the French government.
The management of the DESIR program rests with an industrial consortium that delineates distinct responsibilities across the space and ground segments. This consortium integrates the specialized expertise of Thales Alenia Space, Loft Orbital, and Tekeever, while also incorporating support from various French small- and medium-sized enterprises. Loft Orbital is tasked with providing the satellite and ground control segment, Thales Alenia Space will deliver the radar payload and user ground segment, and Tekeever is assigned the development of the active antenna.
This collaborative framework aims to maintain essential technologies and associated intellectual property within national boundaries, thus ensuring greater control over critical systems.
The DESIR program aligns with France’s broader strategy to modernize its defense space sector and reduce reliance on foreign technologies. It also plays a significant role in fostering industrial and economic sovereignty by preserving advanced space expertise within the country.
Additionally, last month, Paris launched the SkyFortress Innovation Acceleration Project, which aims to enhance military space operations through the testing of a hybrid network of ground stations. This initiative will provide the French Armed Forces with contingency options to maintain reliable satellite links during potential disruptions.
In a related move, Thales secured a contract with France’s Defence Procurement Agency in October 2025 to develop and deploy AURORE, a radar system aimed at monitoring satellites and debris in low Earth orbit. The AURORE system is expected to bolster both France’s and Europe’s capabilities to safeguard space assets by delivering real-time tracking and continuous coverage.
