Spain Tests Nemus AESA Radar on Leopard 2E for Active Protection Against Aerial and Kinetic Threats.

According to information published by Indra on May 26, 2025, the Spanish technology company has conducted a successful trial campaign of its new Nemus active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar on Leopard 2 main battle tanks of the Spanish Army. The demonstrations took place at the Spanish Army's Armored Units Instruction Center (CENAD) in Zaragoza, in the presence of Brigadier General Luis Sanz Muñoz, Director of Procurement at the Army's Logistics Command, along with military representatives and Indra engineers. The primary objective of these tests was to validate the functional and operational integration of the Nemus radar onto a heavy armored platform, specifically the Leopard 2E, Spain’s localized version of the Leopard 2A6.
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Designed to serve as a core sensor for active protection systems, Nemus is intended to trigger appropriate countermeasures before impact (Picture source: INDRA)

The Nemus radar is an AESA system capable of detecting, identifying, and tracking a wide range of threats in real time, including drones, microdrones, anti-tank missiles, rockets, and kinetic energy projectiles such as arrow-type rounds traveling at supersonic speeds. Designed to serve as a core sensor for active protection systems, Nemus is intended to trigger appropriate countermeasures before impact. Its onboard data processing capabilities include artificial intelligence that enables the radar to distinguish decoys from real threats and resist electronic jamming and interference.

In addition to its performance attributes, the Nemus system features a compact and modular design that allows integration on various armored vehicle platforms, including main battle tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and tactical carriers. It is capable of operating effectively in extreme environments, whether in humid, cold, or desert conditions. The radar is developed as a survivability tool for land platforms operating in contemporary conflict zones, where the widespread use of low-cost drones and precision-guided munitions presents increasing risks for mechanized units.

The trials in Zaragoza follow a previous validation phase carried out in July 2024 at the Army’s Radio Evaluation and Experimentation Center (CEAR) in Guadalajara. The earlier tests focused on evaluating the radar’s detection and tracking capabilities under controlled conditions. The second phase in Zaragoza was specifically aimed at testing the radar’s compatibility with the Leopard 2 system, including data link quality with onboard sensors and its responsiveness in simulated active protection scenarios.

Spain currently operates two variants of the Leopard tank: the older Leopard 2A4, of which several units have been transferred to Ukraine, and the Leopard 2E, developed locally with industrial support from Indra and General Dynamics European Land Systems – Santa Bárbara Sistemas. Indra has been involved in the electronic architecture of the Leopard 2E, having supplied components such as the LINCE battle management system and electro-optical sensors including thermal cameras. In March 2025, Indra announced a strategic partnership with Rheinmetall to develop a full mission control system and C4I (command, control, communications, computers, and intelligence) suite for the Spanish Leopard fleet.

The Nemus radar also reflects broader industrial collaboration. It was officially presented at the IDEX defense exhibition in Abu Dhabi earlier in 2025 by Pulse, the joint venture established at the end of 2024 between Indra and the Emirati defense group EDGE. This cooperation aims to develop, produce, and market next-generation radar systems to meet the growing demand for active protection solutions in high-intensity conflict areas. Nemus is currently one of the few AESA radars of this type developed and manufactured in Europe, contributing to the continent’s technological autonomy in the land defense sector.

The trials conducted by Indra on the Leopard tanks demonstrate the operational readiness of the Nemus radar to meet modern requirements for active vehicle protection. Its compact design, processing capability, and resilience in electronic warfare environments position it as a functional solution for armed forces seeking to address both conventional and asymmetric threats. Nemus could play a central role in future armored vehicle modernization programs across Europe, while reinforcing Indra’s involvement in the digitalization of land combat platforms.