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Thales Challenges US Patriot with Ground Fire 300 Radar Soon Operational in Europe’s SAMP/T System.
At a time when aerial and ballistic threats are becoming more numerous and diverse, the French group Thales has unveiled the Ground Fire 300 (GF300), a new-generation multifunction radar designed to meet the growing needs of armed forces in surveillance and interception capabilities. Developed in France, the system represents a significant technological advancement in air and missile defense, aiming to directly compete with established American systems, particularly Raytheon’s Patriot.
Designed from the outset for operational flexibility, the GF300 stands out for its high mobility and rapid deployment capability (Picture source: Eurosam)
The GF300 is based on a 4D AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) antenna using gallium nitride (GaN) modules, enabling digital beamforming at the element level. This advanced technology offers full hemispherical coverage—360° in azimuth and 90° in elevation—with a detection range of up to 400 kilometers. The radar can simultaneously track up to 1,000 targets, including drones, stealth aircraft, supersonic and subsonic missiles, and tactical ballistic missiles. It also provides autonomous detection of ballistic missiles and supports missile guidance, including for the Aster missile family, within integrated air defense or missile defense systems.
Designed from the outset for operational flexibility, the GF300 stands out for its high mobility and rapid deployment capability. It is housed in a 20-foot ISO container weighing less than 11 tons, suitable for transport by truck, train, or tactical aircraft (such as the C-130 or A400M). On-site deployment takes less than 15 minutes, with disassembly possible in under 10 minutes—an essential feature for deployed forces or volatile environments. The system is also optimized for fast maintenance, incorporating redundancy in all critical components (transmit-receive modules, motors, ventilators, power supplies), a built-in test system (BITE), and an interactive digital manual to support field diagnostics.
Operationally, the GF300 performs well in complex environments, thanks to advanced Doppler processing and its counter-rocket, artillery, and mortar (C-RAM) capability. It can detect small objects in congested airspaces and is adaptable to emerging threats, such as swarms of mini-drones or hypersonic missiles. Its software-defined architecture allows for continuous upgrades to meet evolving battlefield requirements.
In comparison, the Patriot system, although well-proven in combat scenarios, relies on the AN/MPQ-65 radar, which is a PESA (Passive Electronically Scanned Array) type with a limited 120° azimuth coverage. It requires mechanical repositioning or multiple radars to achieve full surveillance. Moreover, the Patriot’s modular architecture includes a command post (ECS), a mobile power station (EPP-III), and a communication antenna unit (AMG), results in a heavier and more complex logistics footprint. However, Raytheon is currently upgrading the system with the development of the LTAMDS radar, which features 360° coverage and similar technologies to those found in the GF300, indicating a convergence toward the standards Thales is now promoting.
The selection of the GF300 to equip the next-generation SAMP/T NG air defense system is a clear acknowledgment of its performance. This radar is set to replace the Arabel system currently used by the French armed forces as part of a modernization initiative led by the French Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) and coordinated with OCCAR. The radar recently passed factory acceptance testing, with first deliveries expected to the French Air and Space Force by 2026. This program is part of a broader industrial momentum: since 2022, Thales has tripled its radar production rate—from 10 to 28 units annually—with a target of 35 units by 2025. The radar segment now generates €1.2 billion in revenue, making it a strategic pillar for the group.
With the launch of the Ground Fire 300, Thales is introducing more than a new radar—it is establishing a European benchmark in air defense, designed to meet the demands of high-intensity conflict and to integrate with multi-domain defense architectures. In the context of renewed state-level threats and accelerated European defense initiatives, the radar offers a technological and operationally sovereign solution.