The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has ordered 17 anti-aircraft radar systems from French firm Thales for around 300 million Euros ($397 million), France's Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
The deal, clinched during a visit by French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, came a day after the UAE signed an agreement worth more than 700 million Euros for two French military surveillance satellites.
The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, “gave his green light to Mr. Le Drian for the purchase of 17 Thales GM200 radars,” a Ministry spokesman said.
Le Drian has made re-establishing trade ties with the UAE -- a traditional customer for the French arms industry -- a priority, holding several meetings with top officials.
Before the two deals in two days, the last significant military orders received by France from the UAE dated back to 2007.
The GROUND Master 200 (GM200) is the medium range multi missions radar of the ThalesRaytheonSystems’ GROUND Master family.
The GROUND Master 200 is a tactical radar designed to answer simultaneously to the most demanding operational needs:
- Air Surveillance, provide an accurate detection from very low to high altitudes, whatever the environment.
- Air Defense Weapon Coordination, from VSHORAD to Medium range system.
- Weapon locating system, providing Rocket Artillery & Mortar warnings, as well as launch & impact points computation (C-RAM mission).
Highly mobile, the GROUND Master 200 is an all in one solution with a unique shelter 20ft ISO which can receive 2 operator positions. Operated on truck it can be operational in less than 15 minutes.
Source: AFP
