Norway exercises option for additional TPY-4 radars

Norway has exercised a contract option for three additional TPY-4 early warning multimission radars. (Lockheed Martin)

The Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency (NDMA) is procuring three additional TPY-4 multimission ground-based radars from Lockheed Martin after exercising a contract option with the company.

According to an announcement by the NDMA on 3 March, the additional radars will be stationed in Senja, Målselv, and Nordkapp to enhance surveillance in the northern region of the country.

In November 2022 Norway contracted Lockheed Martin to deliver eight TPY-4 radars, with an option for further three systems under the ‘P 2078 Air Surveillance Radars' programme. The programme involves replacing the country's ageing SINDRE II RAT-31SL radars, with a total of NOK2–4 billion (USD189–378 million) allocated in 2015 for the procurement.

Out of the eight radars originally ordered, five are being installed at new sites, while the remaining three will be stationed at existing locations. The first radar is due to be installed in Gyrihaugen, Norway, by the end of 2025.

Deliveries were initially scheduled to conclude by 2030; however, this has been extended because of the contract option being exercised, the NDMA said.

The Royal Norwegian Air Force will manage and operate the radars.

The TPY-4 is an L-band (1–2 GHz) 3D digital active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar that is capable of tracking satellites, detecting low-profile unmanned aircraft systems (UASs), and conducting ballistic missile search and tracking. It is transportable via truck, rail, or helicopter and utilises gallium nitride transmitter technology.

For more information on the contract, please seeNorway selects Lockheed Martin TPY-4 radar to bolster air surveillance.

For more information on the radar, please seeAN/TPY-4(V) radar.