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2021-10-01

Indra to Modernise Spanish Air Force with Advanced Radars

Indra recently signed a contract with the Directorate General of Armament and Material (DGAM) to modernise the Spanish Air Force’s air surveillance network. The contract is worth 120 million euros.

The application of state-of-the-art technologies developed by Indra makes the Lanza 3D one of the most advanced and reliable radars on the market, one that’s capable of detecting a wide range of targets, including fifth-generation fighters.

This operation will complement the deployment of the radar throughout the Air Force’s EVAs (Air Surveillance Squadrons), making Spain one of the countries with a robust air defence system.

The new Lanza 3D radars, to be supplied in their fixed and deployable versions, meet the demanding technical and operational requirements of the Atlantic Alliance and constitute a core element of NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence System (NATINAMDS) that protects the whole of Europe.

These systems are known for their high long-range detection capability of all aircraft types in flight, including fifth-generation fighters with low-detectability (stealth) technologies. They also accurately locate remotely manned aircraft and tactical ballistic missiles, ensuring the necessary early alert of the defence system in the most demanding operating environments (e.g., at very low altitudes and in the presence of electronic disturbances and countermeasures). This will be combined with the high availability and operational reliability.

Moreover, the new fixed radars developed by Indra will facilitate the deployment of the 5G communications network in Spain. Thanks to its technology, the Lanza 3D radar will pave the way for the unlimited deployment of a service that will increase the speed of communications, replacing other radars of non-national technology, which have reached the final phase of their life cycle and are currently operating on a frequency band that interferes with these kinds of communications.

In addition to the supply of the Lanza 3D, Indra will integrate the radars into the Command and Control Groups of the Aerospace Surveillance and Control System and contribute the elements required to maintain the Air Force’s autonomy in their operation, providing logistical support for the new systems.

The technological evolution of the Lanza 3D family of radars can be traced back to the partnership initiated by the Ministry of Defence and the Air Force several decades ago. As a result of the above, Spain now has its own strategic technology for its defence and sovereignty. From 2000 to 2010, the Air Force received Indra’s first 10 radars, which were deployed in the EVAs, then known as the Air Command and Control System. Since then, these systems have continued to evolve and improve to become one of the most advanced tools on the market.

Indra’s development of cutting-edge technologies that makes the Lanza 3D one of the most advanced radars on the market is related to its position as an international leader in the defence industry. The company develops critical projects for the national defence of the countries for which it works, participates in major European and NATO programmes, and offers significant export capacity.

Cutting-edge Technologies

The protection of the European airspace, the survival of the Eurofighter and the ships of several navies and the protection of satellites in orbit depend on Indra’s expertise.

With more than 40 years of experience in developing these systems, Indra has become NATO’s preferred supplier when it comes to acquiring mobile air defence radars. The company has reportedly won all the tenders to acquire this type of system launched by the Alliance in the last 15 years.

The company’s engineers are behind the design of CAPTOR, the radar that allows the Eurofighter to ‘see without being seen’. They are also currently working on its development towards an even more advanced electronic scanning configuration.

It has also developed radars that protect the frigates, ships, and submarines of several navies worldwide. In the civilian field, it supplies systems to navigation service providers, thus enhancing air traffic safety.

In recent years, the company has developed the S3T radar, a space surveillance radar that has been installed at the Morón Air Base in Seville. This system protects the International Space Station, its satellites, spacecraft, and the probes that are launched into space to combat the risk of an impact with any of the debris orbiting out of control around the Earth.

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