Lithuania acquires Thales GM200 MM/C counter-battery radars
3 January, 2024 GM200 MM/C radar by Thales Nederland. Photo from open sources. The Lithuanian and Dutch National Defense Ministries signed an agreement to purchase Thales GM200 MM/C multifunctional counter-battery radar systems from Thales Nederland.
This is stated in the statement of the Ministry of Defense of Lithuania. "The artillery radar systems that Lithuania is purchasing will significantly enhance the capabilities of artillery. The purpose of these radars is to determine the positions of enemy indirect fire systems based on the incoming shell trajectory and to ensure a quick response to enemy fire.
This is a very important acquisition," Minister of National Defense Arvydas Anusauskas highlighted. The agreement between the Lithuanian and Dutch Defense Ministries provides for further cooperation in the field of multifunctional radar support. The possibility of participation of the Lithuanian defense industry in the implementation of such projects is also being considered.
GM200 MM/C radar from Thales Nederland.
Images from open sources
The cost of the purchase is estimated at EUR 126.7 million. The price includes a logistics package of technical documentation, training of operators and maintenance technicians, a spare parts package, a special set of tools, and testing equipment. The first counter-battery radars from Thales Nederland are expected to be delivered to Lithuania in 2026.
On December 20, Militarnyi reported that Thales delivered Ground Master 200 medium-range 3-D radar to Moldova. Radar was purchased with defense budget funds through a French company that provided information and logistics support.
Ground Master 200 radar in Moldova. December 2023.
Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Moldova
One radar with related equipment is estimated to cost around EUR14.5 million. Ground Master 200 provides detection of aerial targets at a distance of up to 250 kilometers and at an altitude of up to 24 kilometers. The radar assures detection of helicopters, aircraft, drones, winged aircraft, surface targets, and even enemy artillery.
Thales GM200 MM/C
MM/C GM200 is designed to detect enemy artillery positions.
The GM200 MM/C radar, which belongs to the new Thales 4D AESA family, is equipped with a stabilized multi-beam rotating active phased antenna array on gallium nitride.
It is capable of both detecting enemy artillery and missile positions and detecting various air targets, including small UAVs and missiles.
Multipurpose electronic scanning is carried out both at the angle of the place and at the azimuth.
According to Thales, the radar's capabilities allow determining the coordinates of even individual enemy artillery or missile systems during their battery firing.