Moldova procures new tactical air-defence radar

Moldova has acquired a GM 200 radar from Thales. The system operates in the 2–4 GHz frequency range and can detect threats up to 24,384 m (80,000 ft) in altitude. (Thales)

Moldova has acquired a new tactical air-defence radar from Thales following a meeting between the French Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu and Moldovan Minister of Defense Anatolie Nosatîi.

The agreement is for a Ground Master (GM) 200 medium-range radar, the French Ministry of Armed Forces announced on 6 October. While at the event, Lecornu said he wanted to “conduct an audit of air defence assets” to help strengthen Moldova's airspace.

Thales had not responded to Janes regarding delivery timeframes at the time of publication.

The GM 200 is a tactical medium-range radar that has the capability to detect, identify, and track threats such as aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and cruise missiles at very low and high altitudes. It also has a counter rocket, artillery, and mortar (C-RAM) mode enabling detection, warning, and fire data computation (impact and launch points), and can provide air-defence weapon co-ordination for very-short-range air-defence (VSHORAD) and SHORAD systems.

Two operational modes are available – a surveillance feature for long-range missions (up to 250 km) and a shorter-range engagement mode (up to 100 km).