Denmark to strengthen air defence with Thales’s Ground Fire radar in SAMP/T NG System
Paris, September 16. Denmark’s upcoming SAMP/T NG (Surface-to-Air Missile Platform/Terrain New Generation) air defence system will feature Thales’s cutting-edge Ground Fire radar, enhancing the country’s ability to counter advanced aerial threats.
Initially developed to handle the Aster family of missiles (A30 B1 and A30 B1NT), for which Thales provides the seeker, each Danish section of the SAMP/T NG will rely on the Ground Fire radar and the Engagement Module New Generation, both designed by Thales in partnership with MBDA.
According to press release issued by Thales, the Ground Fire radar, based on fully digital active electronically scanned antennas (AESA), is capable of detecting, tracking, and classifying a wide range of targets – from drones to ballistic missiles – even in complex environments such as mountainous terrain and crowded airspace. With a refresh rate of one second, 360-degree panoramic coverage, 90-degree elevation, and surveillance capacity of up to 400 km, the system offers rapid responsiveness and mobility.
Designed with an open architecture, the SAMP/T NG ensures interoperability with other European defence systems, boosting collective security and strategic autonomy. Compact in size and transportable within an ISO container, it offers reduced setup and dismantling times, making it highly deployable.
The Ground Fire radar maximises the performance of the ASTER 30 missiles and consolidates France’s position as a leader in medium-range air and missile defence. The SAMP/T NG programme is managed by the Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement (OCCAR), with Eurosam – a joint venture between Thales and MBDA – serving as the lead contractor.
“Thales is honoured by the choice made by the Danish authorities,” said Hervé Dammann, Executive Vice-President for Land and Air Systems at Thales. “With Eurosam and MBDA, we thank our client for their trust. The Danish armed forces will gain a state-of-the-art system to safeguard their airspace and strengthen the defence of European nations and NATO.”
