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Medium-range ground-based air defence: armasuisse tested new radar to strengthen defence capability

Swiss Government

Bern, 11.04.2025 -- Between 31 March and 11 April 2025, the Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse tested the TRML-4D sensor (radar) for the new medium-range ground-based air defence system in cooperation with the Swiss Armed Forces. A further step in the procurement process was achieved with the testing. The properties of the radar were tested in the specific Swiss topography and various investigations on frequency compatibility with civilian systems such as the weather radar were carried out. Testing took place alternately at the federally-owned "Homberg" and at the site of the Emmen aerodrome.

The future ground-based air defence (GBAD) will contribute to the impact of maintaining air sovereignty and air defence as well as protecting against attacks with long-range weapons. As part of Integrated Air Defence (IAD), the GBAD will combat threats at various different distances and heights. The system for medium-range ground-based air defence (GBAD MR) increases the effect in the lower, medium and in some cases upper airspace at medium distances. The goal is to increase the freedom of action in integrated air defence and to regain the capability for geospatial cruise missile defence.
A guarantee credit of 660 million Francs was approved for GBAD MR in the 2024 armament programme.

Status of the procurement process

The Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse intends to procure four or five IRIS-T SLM systems for GBAD MR from the German manufacturer Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG. Negotiations with the manufacturer are in an advanced phase. It is anticipated that the contract will be signed in the third quarter of 2025. The procurement will take place as part of a programme agreement of the European Sky Shield Initiative.

Sensor testing on the Homberg and in Emmen

The sensor (radar) is an important component of the new system. The Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse therefore tested the TRML-4D sensor from 31 March to 11 April 2025. Testing was carried out together with the Armed Forces, the manufacturer Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG and its supplier, Hensoldt AG. The properties of the radar were tested in the specific Swiss topography and various investigations on frequency compatibility with civilian systems such as the weather radar were carried out. The tests were performed alternately at the federally-owned "Homberg" and at the site of the Emmen aerodrome. No trial fire was carried out.

Missions with different aircraft

During the testing, flights with the aircraft PC-12, PC-7, F/A-18 as well as helicopters took place, predominantly in their usual training spaces. Only low noise emissions were generated in the vicinity of the test location. The aircraft flew various different scenarios to test the detection performance, the detection range and the classification performance of the radar. A radar target simulator will also serve to simulate targets with different speeds and various different challenging radar cross sections.

Electromagnetic radiation

The radar antennas transmit and receive electromagnetic waves. These belong to the group "non-ionising radiation (NIR)". The ambient limit values applicable for this were not exceeded. No irradiance values above the legal limit values were to be expected outside the security area of the radar. The Federal Office for Defence Procurement armasuisse had received a transmission authorisation for the sensor testing from the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM).

Project "GBAD MR"

The project "GBAD MR" is a procurement project for renewing important anti-aircraft systems of the Swiss Armed Forces. The renewal will close an existing gap in capability in the defence of stand-off weapons, to combat approaching targets at a medium distance and thus expand long-range ground-based air defence with the Patriot system. Systems currently in use will soon reach the end of their useful life. In addition, the existing type Stinger and medium anti-aircraft (med AAA) systems only have very short ranges - modern combat aircraft deploy their weapons from greater heights and distances.