The Irish Department of Defence (DoD) has signed a contract with the French Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA – the French defence procurement agency) covering the acquisition of four of Thales’ Ground Master 400α (GM400 Alpha) radars and a Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission All-in-one (MM/A) radar to strengthen the recognised air picture for the Irish Defence Forces​, Thales announced on 2 October 2026.

“Thanks to Thales’ strong industrial ramp-up programme and ability to produce in short lead times, the first deliveries are scheduled for 2027,” the company added.

The GM400α “has an update rate of just 6 seconds, outstanding processing power, and exceptional tracking capability, even in dense clutter”, Thales stated. “Designed to fit into a 20-foot ISO container, equipped with an integrated lifting system and capable of rapid deployment, it delivers exceptional survivability for a long-range radar.”

The GM200 MM/A, meanwhile, is a field-proven radar that simultaneously detects and tracks low to high-altitude targets. It features the all-in-one’ approach of a single 20 ft (6.1 m) shelter containing the radar, a mast and a power generator unit. The system is transportable on a truck and deployable for operations in 15 minutes, improving survivability compared to a fixed-site radar.