Iraq inaugurates second Groundmaster air defence radar
Screenshot from Iraqi MoD video showing the second GM403 radar to arrive in the country. (Image: Iraqi MoD)
Iraq intends to operate a network of GM400 Groundmaster-series radars for medium- and high-altitude air defence.
Iraq has received another GM400 Groundmaster-series ground-based air defence radar from Thales, as shown in a video released by the Iraqi MoD on 26 September.
Iraqi defence minister Jumaa Enad Saadoun inaugurated the S-band GM403 radar in a ceremony at a military base in Al-Diwaniyah Governorate.
The GM403 is the second GM400-series system to arrive in Iraq, although the MoD did not disclose when the previous one was delivered.
‘This system is one of several systems that will be installed and operated in Iraq to complete the process of detection and early warning of [aircraft at] hostile high and medium altitudes, and it is the fruit of the cornerstone that was laid earlier for the new main operations centre of the Air Defense Command,’ Saadoun said.
The network-enabled, digital and full-Doppler GM403 radar uses digital beamforming, generating stacked beams for maximum time on target.
Additionally, the phased-array antenna rotates once every six seconds.
Data from Shephard Defence Insight shows that the GM403 features an instrumented range of 470km, a minimum project detection range of 5km, a 100,000ft ceiling and a detection range for combat aircraft of 390km.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![Thales targets requirements with Xtraim digital weapon sight and reveals that thousands have already been sold]()
Thales targets requirements with Xtraim digital weapon sight and reveals that thousands have already been sold
The sight can be used by soldiers wearing night-vision goggles if required and has an all-in-one architecture that combines conventional red-dot and thermal imaging technologies.
-
![US Army to launch hunt for new artillery]()
US Army to launch hunt for new artillery
The search will look at existing artillery with an acknowledgement that a large part of the effect from the weapons comes from the munitions used.
-
![Babcock and Patria join up to compete for the British Army’s medium vehicle requirement]()
Babcock and Patria join up to compete for the British Army’s medium vehicle requirement
Patria’s 6x6 armoured personnel carrier (APC) forms the basis of the trans-European Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS). The Finnish company and Babcock want to offer it for the UK’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP) medium protected requirement.
-
![Six HIMARS rocket launchers to arrive in Estonia by mid-2025]()
Six HIMARS rocket launchers to arrive in Estonia by mid-2025
Lockheed Martin has handed over six new HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems to Estonia, which will “soon” be ready to be integrated into the country’s defence forces’ arsenal.
-
![Avon Protection unveils new MITR-M1 Half Mask]()
Avon Protection unveils new MITR-M1 Half Mask
The mask, according to Avon Protection, is ideal for personnel operating in a low-to-mid-level threat environment, including those special operations and military staff.
-
![First UK-made British Army Boxer rolled out]()
First UK-made British Army Boxer rolled out
The first batch of 623 Boxer ordered were built in Germany with the majority of the work now done in West Midlands and North-East Wales.
