Royal Malaysian Air Force reinforces air surveillance with Thales’ new Ground Master 400α radar.

Thales has signed on 8 December 2023 a letter of award for the supply of a GM400α long-range radar delivered with a complete station infrastructure to the Royal Malaysian Air Force, in the presence of the Ministers of Defence of both Malaysia and France.

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Ground Master GM400α long-range radar (Picture source: Thales)

The award follows successful live testing, demonstrating the new GM400α radar's performance to augment air surveillance and air defense capabilities. With 5 times more processing power, an increase in instrumented range of more than 10% (515km) and advanced artificial intelligence capabilities, the radar provides extended air surveillance capabilities. A field-proven radar globally recognized for its technological superiority, the GM400α is deployed in more than 20 nations and will provide the Royal Malaysian Air Force with superior situational awareness.

Given the multitude of threats and conflicts in constant evolution, building a reliable, accurate, up-to-date Recognized Air Picture (RAP) the GM400α meets the challenges to maintain airspace sovereignty, providing superior situational awareness at all times.

Leveraging on years of successful field experience, GaN technology and surveillance capabilities, the GM400α detects simultaneously targets from fast jets and missiles, to hovering helicopters and UAVs, flying close to the ground, hiding in the clutter near the radar. In addition, the radar maintains the highest level of mobility and availability performance on the market. Thales will deliver a complete radar station, including building, access road, energy, air conditioning, telecommunications, radome and all the associated logistics.

“We are thrilled that Thales’ GM400α radar is selected by the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) to be a strategic asset of Malaysia’s air defence and surveillance systems. This contract is a strong testament to Thales’ leadership in the radar domain and marks a new milestone in the ongoing success story that started in 2009 when Malaysia became the launch customer of the predecessor radar, the GM400.

This new contract reinforces the defence cooperation between France and Malaysia. With historic deep roots in Malaysia, a strong local installed base, Thales is proud to strengthen Malaysia’s air sovereignty.” François-Xavier Boutes, Country Director, Malaysia, Thales.