Ireland Orders Five Thales Radars to Close Its Air Surveillance Gap
Ireland has ordered five Thales air surveillance radars, four Ground Master 400 Alpha long-range sensors and one Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission All-in-one, through France’s defence procurement agency, the DGA. Thales announced the order on October 2, 2026.
First deliveries are scheduled for 2027, with full capability expected by the end of 2028. Breaking Defense puts the estimated cost at about €500 million ($563 million).
Thales Radar Order for Ireland
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Customer | Ireland, Department of Defence |
| Procurement route | France’s DGA |
| Contractor | Thales |
| Radars | 4 x Ground Master 400 Alpha; 1 x Ground Master 200 MM/A |
| Estimated cost | About €500 million ($563 million), per Breaking Defense |
| Deliveries | First in 2027; full capability by end of 2028 |
| Order signed (Irish MoD) | September 18, 2026 |
| Announced by Thales | October 2, 2026 |
Martin Soegaard, Thales country director, said the radars “will be instrumental in providing the nation’s first fully Recognised Air Picture, thereby supporting Ireland’s national awareness, security and sovereignty.”
Ground Master 400 Alpha and 200 MM/A Compared
The two radar types fill different roles. The GM400 Alpha is a three-dimensional long-range sensor housed in a 20-foot ISO container, and the GM200 MM/A is a smaller transportable system.
| Item | GM400 Alpha | GM200 MM/A |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | 4 | 1 |
| Stated range | Up to 515 km | Up to 350 km |
| Packaging | 20 ft ISO container with integrated lifting system | Radar, mast and generator in one 20 ft shelter |
| Other stated features | Updates every six seconds | Deployable within 15 minutes after truck transport |
Why Ireland Needs Primary Radar
Breaking Defense reports that Ireland cannot currently identify aircraft that are not transmitting transponder signals. A defence submission quoted by the outlet said continued incursions by Russian aircraft into Irish controlled airspace “highlights the importance of primary radar.” The 2022 Commission on the Defence Forces named primary radar as a priority, and the order fits within Ireland’s record €1.5 billion defence budget announced last year. For the technology behind modern surveillance radars, see our GaN radar explainer.
Thales Company Profile
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | La Défense, France |
| Focus | Defence, aerospace, cybersecurity and digital identity |
| Known radar families | Ground Master, Sea Fire, Squire |
| Country lead (Ireland) | Martin Soegaard |
Ireland Thales Radar FAQ
What did Ireland order?
Four Thales Ground Master 400 Alpha radars and one Ground Master 200 MM/A.
How much will it cost?
Breaking Defense estimates about €500 million.
Why is the order placed through the DGA?
The agreement runs between Ireland’s Department of Defence and France’s DGA, which buys the Thales systems.
When will the radars arrive?
First deliveries in 2027, with full capability by the end of 2028.
What gap does it close?
Ireland cannot currently see aircraft that do not broadcast transponder signals.
- Thales – press release on the Irish radar order (October 2, 2026)
- Breaking Defense – “Long-range radar deal puts Ireland on course to shrink capability gap” (October 2026): breakingdefense.com
- Janes – “Ireland orders GM400 Alpha and GM200 MM/A surveillance radars”
- Wikipedia – Thales Group (company data)
