Eurosam and Thales signed a contract for the delivery and installation of four SMART-L MM/N long-range radars to be installed on two French and two Italian Horizon class frigates. The first SMART-L MM/N is scheduled for delivery in 2026. The replacement of the original S1850 long-range radar with the SMART-L MM/N provides a capabilities upgrade enabling the ships, in operation since 2007, to meet the latest threats. The SMART-L MM/N is operational on four “De Zeven Provinciën” class frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy, together with the land-based version of the radar for the Royal Netherlands Air Force. The Swedish Armed Forces also contracted the SMART-L MM/F earlier this year.
“We are extremely proud to have been selected by two major NATO navies for delivering air surveillance and ballistic missile defence capabilities for their frigates. Through this important contract, Thales contributes to international cooperation in naval air defence”, says Christophe Salomon, Executive Vice President Thales Land and Air Systems.
The fully digital AESA SMART-L MM/N is designed to provide long-range air & surface surveillance and target designation, capable of detecting a wide spectrum of threats, including ballistic missiles. The radar combines Anti Air Warfare (AAW) and Ballistic Missile (BM) defence in one mode by adaptable radar wave-forms for the various tasks in a single rotation. SMART-L is a 3D multibeam radar designed to provide long-range air & surface surveillance and target designation. A fully digitally controlled Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar. The applied high-end techniques result in a radar with an unrivalled long range performance of 2000 km. Within this enormous range it detects a wide spectrum of targets: air breathing targets, stealth targets and ballistic missiles. It can be installed on landbased locations, on sea and is also available as Deployable Air Defence Radar.
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies within three domains: Defence & Security, Aeronautics & Space, and Digital Identity & Security. It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive. The Group invests close to €4 billion a year in Research & Development, particularly in key areas such as quantum technologies, Edge computing, 6G and cybersecurity. Thales has 77,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2022, the Group generated sales of €17.6 billion.
