Thales has announced the delivery of a second air defense system to Ukraine, aimed at increasing protection against Russian air threats. This contract, signed under the aegis of the French Ministry of the Armed Forces, marks a major step forward in defense cooperation between France and Ukraine.
French technology group Thales continues to play a key role in supporting Ukraine’s defense. On the sidelines of Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit to France for the commemorations of the 80th anniversary of the Allied landings in Normandy, Thales announced the signing of an agreement for the supply of a second air defense system to Ukraine. This system aims to strengthen the capabilities of detecting and neutralizing aerial threats, thus contributing to the protection of Ukrainian territory.
A new system after the success of Ground Master 200
In 2023, Thales had already delivered a first air defense system to Ukraine, which proved very effective in the field. This first system, equipped with the Ground Master 200 radar, has proven its effectiveness by detecting and neutralizing various aerial threats. This initial collaboration established a foundation of trust and demonstrated the effectiveness of Thales’ advanced technologies in real-world combat conditions. The Ground Master 200 radar in this first system is particularly effective at detecting drones and fighter jets at significant ranges, providing protection against aerial attacks and artillery fire. Building on this success, Ukraine decided to acquire a second system to extend this protection.
The new air defense system includes the ControlMaster 200, a solution integrating the Ground Master 200 air surveillance radar. This radar is capable of detecting low and high altitude targets in various environments, with a detection range of up to 250 km and response capability of up to 100 km. The ControlMaster 200 also includes a radio communications system, a ControlView command and control center (C2), and a portable weapons allocation terminal. These components enable optimal coordination of air defense weapons, from very short range (VSHORAD) to extended short range (E-SHORAD).
How Thales improved its aerial surveillance system
The second air defense system offers notable improvements over the first. The integration of the Ground Master 200 radar into the ControlMaster 200 enables earlier threat detection and better coordination of air defense weapons. This capability is crucial to effectively respond to various types of aerial threats, whether low-altitude drones or high-altitude combat aircraft.
This new system enables multi-layered defense, detecting and neutralizing threats before they reach critical targets. The portability of the truck-mounted Ground Master 200 radar provides increased flexibility and mobility, allowing different strategic areas to be protected quickly and efficiently.
Featured, Defense, France, War, Industry, International, Radars, Russia, Surveillance, Aerial surveillance, Thales, Ukraine
