Thales strengthens Portugal’s very short-range air defence capabilities with ForceShield system
18 Nov 2024 – Thales is pleased to announce the signing of a contract with NSPA, for the acquisition of a ForceShield system by the Portuguese Army. This is a landmark contract, not only because it is the first signed for the benefit of the Portuguese Army by Thales, but also because it is the first ForceShield contract that Thales has signed with a European country. The contract is designed to strengthen Portugal’s very short-range air defence (VSHORAD) capabilities.
ForceShield is Thales’s air defence solution, designed to protect forces, citizens and critical infrastructure from an increasingly diverse range of airborne threats – from low-altitude threats such as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to helicopters, fighter ground attacks or cruise missiles.
ForceShield provides appropriate components to detect, coordinate, engage and neutralise threats. The contract includes a complete ForceShield Compact solution, with a Ground Master 200 air surveillance radar, a radio communications system, Air Defence command-and-control centre ControlView together with portable weapon allocation terminals. This air defence system includes as well RapidRanger vehicles with StarStreak high velocity Air Defence Missile and Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) anti-armour missiles.
The Ground Master 200 radar establishes tracks faster and keeps them locked for longer; hence maximising situational awareness for optimum engagement. This gives time to the ControlView to evaluate the threat, while allocating the appropriate firing units for air target engagement through each weapon terminal.
RapidRanger is a unique lightweight, vehicle based, highly automated system capable of delivering a rapid reaction response to air and surface threats. It will be fitted with StarStreak and LMM missiles.
“Thales is proud to contribute effectively to the capability enhancement of Portuguese Army. This first contract is a recognition of the trust on our air defence systems by NATO countries and all over the world to support nations safeguarding their airspace sovereignty”, Raphael DESI, Vice-President Integrated Airspace protection Systems, Thales.
About Thales in Portugal
Thales Portugal, with over 36 years of presence in the country, is a key contributor to Thales Group’s global operations. It operates two main centres of excellence: one for naval engineering, focused on developing combat management systems, and another for air traffic management solutions.
Thales employs over 400 people in Portugal, actively supporting the defence, aerospace, and cybersecurity sectors, while playing a significant role in advancing Portugal’s technological infrastructure.
Photo courtesy Thales
