Ireland orders GM400 Alpha and GM200 MM/A surveillance radars

A Thales GM400 Alpha radar mounted on a tower. (Thales)

Ireland has ordered four Ground Master 400 Alpha (GM400α) radars and one Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission All-in-one (GM200 MM/A) radar from Thales to strengthen its military air-surveillance capability, the company announced on 2 October.

The acquisition is being undertaken through an agreement between Ireland's Department of Defence and France's Direction générale de l'armement (DGA), the French defence procurement agency. Initial deliveries are scheduled for 2027.

The Irish Department of Defence announced on 18 September that it had signed an acquisition order with the DGA for five deployable Thales radar systems. The department said the full capability would be in place by the end of 2028, enabling Ireland to maintain a complete recognised air picture of its airspace.

Thales' announcement identifies the radar types within that five-system acquisition.

The GM400α is a three-dimensional long-range air-surveillance radar with a stated range of up to 515 km. According to Thales, it can detect, classify, and track targets ranging from slow-moving unmanned aerial vehicles to supersonic aircraft and missiles. The company states that it updates every six seconds and fits into a 20 ft ISO container with an integrated lifting system.

The GM200 MM/A provides surveillance at ranges of up to 350 km, according to Thales. Its radar, mast, and generator are housed in a single 20 ft shelter that can be transported by truck and deployed for operations within 15 minutes.

France was confirmed as Ireland's preferred partner for the Military Radar Programme in December 2025, when approval of the preliminary business case was announced.