The agreement covers the delivery of Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission All-in-one (GM200 MM/A) and Ground Master 400 Alpha (GM400α) radars
At the Doha International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (DIMDEX), the Qatar Emiri Air Force signed an order with Thales, a defence and electronics firm, for the supply of GM200 MM/A and GM400 Alpha air surveillance radars, reinforcing Qatar’s airspace protection and early warning capabilities.
In a press statement, Thales says that the agreement covers the delivery of Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission All-in-one (GM200 MM/A) and Ground Master 400 Alpha (GM400α) radars, along with a national supervision and maintenance system and a long-term training programme for operators and technicians.
The systems will be integrated into Qatar’s existing air defence architecture to support continuous air surveillance.
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Thales says that the decision comes amid growing concerns over evolving airspace threats, particularly the increasing use of drones and low-signature aerial platforms. Military planners across the region are prioritising systems that can detect, track and classify a wide range of aerial objects while remaining interoperable with legacy command-and-control networks.
The statement adds that GM200 MM/A is designed as a medium-range, multi-mission radar capable of detecting small and fast-moving targets at distances of up to 350 km. It is intended to support air surveillance, air defence and air traffic control missions. The GM400α radar provides long-range coverage and is used for wide-area airspace monitoring, including the detection of low-altitude and manoeuvring threats in complex environments.
Both radar systems operate using Secure Digital Integration Platform (SDIP) of Thales, which allows data from multiple sensors to be processed and shared in real time. The platform enables the creation of a single, unified air picture and allows non-US sensors to be integrated into national defence networks.
Raphael Desi
According to Thales, this capability supports faster decision-making and improved coordination across air defence assets.
Beyond equipment delivery, the contract includes long-term operational support. A locally based Thales team will provide maintenance services and conduct operator and technician training for the Qatar Emiri Air Force until 2036. The arrangement is aimed at ensuring system availability and building in-country technical expertise.
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Thales has worked with Qatar for more than four decades across defence, security and digital technologies. The company says its current activities align with Qatar National Vision 2030, which places emphasis on national security, technological development and local capacity building.
“We are proud to contribute to Qatar’s airspace sovereignty with our integrated air surveillance system based on our advanced medium and long-range tactical radars. The GM200 MM/A and the GM400α will support the Qatar Emiri Air Force in maintaining sovereignty and protecting their airspace against drones and other threats. This contract further demonstrates the enduring partnership between Thales and Qatar,” says Raphael Desi, Vice-President Integrated Airspace-protection Systems activities, Thales.