Sweden has contracted Thales to deliver its SMART-L Multi-Mission Fixed (MM/F) long-range radar for integrated air and missile defense.
A next-generation Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, the SMART-L provides very long-range air and surface surveillance and improved target designation.
It is expected to bolster Stockholm’s air defense capabilities, particularly in ballistic missile detection.
“We are proud to be selected … to enhance Swedish air surveillance capability in an increasingly challenging environment,” company vice president Christophe Salomon said. He added that the advanced radar will play an essential role in contributing to the country’s national airspace sovereignty.
Sweden is reportedly investing one billion Swedish kroner ($92 million) in the new system.
The first delivery is scheduled for 2025, and official deployment with the Swedish Armed Forces is set for 2026.
Additional Features
According to Thales, long-range radars are critical assets to maintain airspace authority against various threats.
Deployed away from the frontlines, the SMART-L MM/F simultaneously monitors the location of friendly and enemy aerial systems at ranges of more than 2,000 kilometers (1,242 miles).
It builds a reliable, accurate, and up-to-date Recognized Air Picture for improved situational awareness of military units.
Additionally, the SMART-L features a digital architecture and an AESA antenna that can be upgraded for future missions.
Naval and land versions of the radar system are already operational in the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, and South Korea.