Thales to supply Ukraine with a second air defense system

Ukraine signed a contract with France’s Thales for the supply of a second air defense system.

The company reported that the contract was signed under the aegis of the French Ministry of the Armed Forces.

“This second air defense system will strengthen the protection of Ukrainian territory, enabling early detection of existing threats,” the company noted.

The Thales air defense system consists of the ControlMaster 200 (CM200), which provides complete airspace surveillance.

The CM200 includes the Ground Master 200 air surveillance radar, a radio communication system, and a ControlView air defense command and control system.

Ground Master 200 can detect helicopters, airplanes, drones, cruise missiles, surface targets, and even enemy artillery systems.

The radar detects air targets at a distance of up to 250 kilometers and at an altitude of up to 24 kilometers.

The GM200 can operate as an independent air surveillance radar or as a radar component of an air defense system.

The ControlView command and control system assesses threats while simultaneously allocating appropriate fire units to engage air targets.

Ukraine ordered the first such air defense system in 2023.

It can be integrated into the SAMP/T air defense system, which is also being provided to Ukraine.

SAMP/T is an air defense system with an Aster 30 missile developed by MBDA, with a range of 40 km.