Thales has officially commenced serial production of the Ground Fire air surveillance and air defense radar, specifically designed for the French variant of the Franco-Italian SAMP/T NG air defense system. This significant advancement follows the completion of factory acceptance testing at Thales’ Limours facility, a milestone observed by representatives from France’s arms procurement agency.
The first eight Ground Fire radars are slated for delivery to the French armed forces by 2026, with the new systems set to replace the existing Arabel radar within current SAMP/T setups. Thales’ Vice President for Surface Radars, Eric Huber, emphasized the radar’s contributions to a strengthened European air defense capability, stating, “The Ground Fire, designed and produced in Europe, will contribute to a robust European air defence system.”
To facilitate this increased production, Thales has implemented a series of operational enhancements aimed at expediting industrial processes. The company plans to triple radar production at its Limours facility from 2022 to 2024, while simultaneously bolstering its supply chain and partner ecosystem to ensure timely delivery. This operational ramp-up is crucial for enhancing air surveillance and defense across European nations.
In addition to its production capabilities, the Ground Fire radar is expected to enhance the performance of the next-generation ASTER 30 interceptor missiles, which will be integral to the French SAMP/T NG systems. France has made an initial commitment to acquire eight SAMP/T NG units to strengthen its defenses against an array of evolving threats, including short- and medium-range ballistic and hypersonic missiles. The timeline for these deliveries begins with the first unit expected in 2026, concluding with the final system by 2030. Furthermore, Paris has plans to procure an additional four systems by 2035.
The Ground Fire radar itself is a highly versatile, multi-function system capable of providing simultaneous air surveillance and fire control support against various targets, including hostile ballistic missiles. It features an advanced fully digital, multi-beam Active Electronically Scanned Array S-band sensor, which offers robust capabilities for detecting, tracking, and classifying multiple targets across challenging environments. The system employs sophisticated Doppler processing techniques to measure the radial velocity of targets, facilitating the detection of small objects even under difficult operational conditions.
With a detection range extending up to 400 kilometers (248 miles), 360-degree azimuth coverage, and 90-degree elevation capabilities, the Ground Fire radar ensures comprehensive hemispherical protection. Its open architecture further allows for seamless integration and interoperability with other European defense systems, thereby reinforcing the continent’s collaborative air defense efforts.
