Estonia signs for construction of new radar post
Thales GM-400 radar systems have also been ordered for the Serbian Air Force. (Photo: Ministry of Defence of Serbia)
Estonian construction company Mapri Ehitus has been awarded a €4 million (US$4.2 million) contract by the Estonian Centre for Defence Investments (ECDI) for the design and building of a new radar post.
The work is being funded by the European Union’s Recovery and Resilience Facility and the new system will have a detection range extending beyond Estonia’s borders in every direction. Construction is expected to take 17 months.
In June 2023, as part of the Medium Range Radar 2023 project (MRR 2023), the ECDI contracted Thales to supply two Ground Master 400 Alpha (GM400α) radars. They have been designed to complement airspace protection offered by the previous generation’s GM400 delivered with the MRR2010 project.
The GM400α is a 3D radar with full digital architecture which tracks air threats at a range of up to 515km and has a low altitude detection capability which includes slow moving UAVs.
Major Tõnis Pärn, commander of the air surveillance wing of Estonian Defence Forces, said: “The new post is a significant development and it helps to ensure flight safety and supports maritime rescue operations.
“Given its location and radar range, it greatly enhances our situational awareness.”
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
CV90 revels in northern exposure while looking for new customers (updated April 2025)
The BAE Systems Hägglunds’ CV90 IFV has been around for decades but continual refreshing to maintain power and relevance, along with a healthy market at home in Sweden and neighbouring countries, has led to more than 1,700 vehicle orders with 10 countries.
-
Oshkosh notches JLTV win with Dutch order
The order further extends the Oshkosh Defense production line as AM General, selected for US orders, pushes to get vehicles out the door with no room for export orders.
-
US and Europe continue moves to boost 155mm munitions production
The new US facility for 155mm artillery projectiles is a reflection of a worldwide trend which has also seen Rheinmetall and BAE Systems working to improve capability in the same area.
-
Dronebuster product line and production capability expanded
DZYNE Technologies, the maker of Dronebuster counter-uncrewed aerial system (C-UAS) devices, has announced plans to expand production and released details on a new version of the system. This follows the release of an all-in-one kit system earlier this year.