EUROSAM Chooses THALES SMART-L Multi-Mission Radar for Next-Gen French and Italian Air Defense Frigates
- Eurosam (a Franco-Italian European collaborative initiative) awarded a contract for four Thales’ SMART-L Multi-Mission / N (Naval) long-range radars intended for Horizon class air defense frigates of France and Italy.
- This agreement marks yet another achievement for the SMART-L MM / L radar, which is accessible in both maritime and terrestrial iterations and has previously been chosen by the Swedish forces as well as the Royal Netherlands Navy and Air Force.
- As a fully digital Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, the SMART-L MM/N delivers unparalleled long-range capabilities up to 2000 km, significantly enhancing aerial surveillance, augmenting abilities in ballistic missile detection, and expanding space domain awareness.
Eurosam and Thales have formalized a contract for the supply and installation of four SMART-L MM/N long-range radars, designated for two French and two Italian Horizon class frigates. The initial SMART-L MM/N unit is projected for delivery in 2026. The substitution of the older S1850 long-range radar with the SMART-L MM/N signifies a capabilities enhancement, enabling the vessels, in service since 2007, to confront contemporary threats.
The fully digital AESA SMART-L MM/N is crafted to deliver extended air and surface monitoring along with target designation, adept at identifying a broad array of threats, including ballistic missiles. This radar merges Anti Air Warfare (AAW) and Ballistic Missile (BM) defense in a singular mode, utilizing versatile radar waveforms for diverse tasks within a single rotation.
Currently, the SMART-L MM/N is operational on four “De Zeven Provinciën” class frigates of the Royal Netherlands Navy, alongside the land-based variant of the radar (SMART L/ MM F) for the Royal Netherlands Air Force. Earlier this year, the Swedish Armed Forces also opted for the SMART-L MM/F.
