Defense & Security 2022: Thales pitches GM400a radar for Thai air force

Thales is pitching its Ground Master 400 Alpha air-surveillance radar for a requirement within the Royal Thai Air Force. The system is an enhanced version of the GM400 (pictured above). (Thales)

Thales is positioning its new Ground Master 400 Alpha (GM400α) for a Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) requirement for a series of air-surveillance radars.

A spokesperson for Thales told Janes at the Defense & Security 2022 exhibition in Bangkok that the company is proposing the GM400α in an RTAF programme to replace about 15 ground-based radars in operation across the country.

Janes understands that the procurement of new radars is a priority within the RTAF, although funding is likely to restrict acquisitions to a series of single units rather than a batch.

The programme is long-standing, with many RTAF radars approaching the end of their operational life. The programme was identified as a requirement in the RTAF's White Paper, which was published in 2020.

The Thales spokesperson said the company would promote the GM400α in future tenders for the radars. He said the system, which can also be mounted on a vehicle, would provide the RTAF with enhanced range and processing capability over the GM400.

According to Thales, the GM400α – launched by Thales in November 2021 – has five times more processing power than the GM400; has a range of 515 km, 10% more than the GM400; and has artificial intelligence capabilities integrated into the system. The GM400α also has a ceiling of up to 100,000 ft and an elevation coverage of 40°.

The GM400 was launched in 2007. Thales said it has sold more than 75 of the radar systems to more than 15 countries. The system is also used by several of Thailand's neighbours.