BELFAST — French defense contractor Thales announced that Ireland’s purchase of five Ground Master radar systems will be crucial for Dublin in establishing a “fully Recognised Air Picture.”
This announcement follows weeks after Ireland’s Department of Defence finalized the order with France’s Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA).
As a militarily neutral country, Ireland is purchasing four Ground Master 400 Alpha (GM400α) units and one Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission All-in-one (GM200 MM/A) system to develop primary radar capabilities—a priority highlighted in the 2022 Commission on Defence Forces report. The report, addressing national defense limitations, provided recommendations to bolster long-term planning and modernization.
A submission to the Commission noted that “continued incursions by Russian aircraft into Irish controlled airspace underscore the importance of primary radar and the risks of operating without it. The absence of such radar not only reveals shortcomings within the Air Corps/Defence Forces but also poses a significant threat to civilian aviation.”
Essentially, this gap means Ireland currently cannot detect or track aircraft lacking a transponder.
Martin Soegaard, Thales country director for Denmark, Ireland, Iceland, and Baltics, stated, “Selecting Thales to bolster Ireland’s sovereign and defense capabilities in a rapidly evolving security landscape highlights our expertise in delivering advanced air surveillance. The GM400α and GM200 MM/A, equipped with cutting-edge sensor technology, will be instrumental in delivering Ireland’s first fully Recognised Air Picture, enhancing national awareness, security, and sovereignty.”
Deliveries of the Ground Master systems to Ireland are scheduled for next year, with Dublin expecting to achieve full operational capability by the end of 2028.
While the Irish government has not disclosed the exact cost, local media estimate the deal at €500 million ($563 million).
Thales noted that the GM400α fits within a 20-ft ISO container, features a six-second update rate, and provides “exceptional tracking capability, even in dense clutter.”
The GM200 MM/A is described as “field-proven” and capable of “simultaneously” detecting and tracking targets from low to high altitudes. The system is housed in a single 20-ft shelter containing the radar, mast, and power generator.
Dublin indicated last year that a “record” €1.5 billion defense budget would facilitate “significant progress” on the radar initiative, alongside other major acquisitions such as Airbus-produced H145 light utility helicopters.
