Germany has awarded Thales a contract to supply 60 Ground Observer 12 (GO12) short-range battlefield radar systems to the German Armed Forces.
The deal also includes additional equipment, spare parts, and user training. Leveraging expanded production capacity at its Ditzingen facility, Thales is scheduled to deliver the systems in 2026.
“We are honored by the trust from the German Armed Forces in our technologies, as illustrated by this order of our radars,” CEO of Thales Germany Christoph Ruffner said.
“It underscores Thales’ positioning in the defence industry, and our commitment to supporting our country’s security and defence initiatives with combat-proven technologies.”
Ground Observer 12
The GO12 is a reconnaissance and artillery-locating radar capable of detecting drones, vehicles, and other targets across a 360-degree field of view.
Designed for highly mobile forces, the tactical infantry radar includes a control laptop, a tripod, cables, and a battery pack that provides up to 6 hours of operation.
Its compact 28-liter (7.4-gallon) sensor package can be carried in a backpack by two soldiers alongside 15 to 20 kilograms (33 to 44 pounds) of personal equipment.
A single operator can deploy the system in two minutes, while its Ethernet interface enables data transmission over any Internet Protocol network.
Operating in the Ku-band, the GO12 can detect and precisely locate dismounted personnel at ranges of up to 8 kilometers (5 miles) and vehicles or helicopters at distances of up to 16 kilometers (10 miles), even in complete darkness, fog, or heavy rain.
