Thales and Ritek expand their radar collaboration
  • Thales and Norwegian mechanical engineering company Ritek today announce their intention to collaborate on radar opportunities in Norway.
  • The collaboration will increase the Norwegian footprint in the domain of radars and strengthens the development of an important SME in the defence value chain in Norway.

The Norwegian Defence Material Agency (NDMA) signed an agreement with the Netherlands Defence Material Organisation (DMO) for five Thales Ground Master 200 multi-mission compact radars (GM200 MM/C) in May 2021. Ritek will perform the vehicle integration of the counter-battery radars.

Morten Minsaas, COO of Ritek comments: "Ritek’s collaboration with Thales has developed over the last two years, from initial discussions about integrating the artillery locating radar on a carrier, to now also include additional collaboration on future projects. The projects we cooperate on are very challenging and will contribute in developing Ritek further as an integration partner for demanding international OEMs, within the defence industry, as well as a new business area for us.”
Nils Toverud, CEO of Thales in Norway comments: "Creating a strong footprint in Norway is important for Thales. We are delighted to collaborate with Ritek, a competent and trustworthy partner, with a long history supporting the armed forces and strong commitment to quality and delivering on time – an excellent collaborator and we look forward to working hand in hand.”

Thales has 300 employees in Norway, that delivers high grade communication technology to both Norway, NATO and our allies, as well as a variety of services and technology solutions, including transport, secure communication, passports, ID-cards, and defence technology.

When the Netherlands and Norway signed the agreement for the counter-battery radars, Chief Investment Officer in the Norwegian Defence Material Agency, Rear Admiral Bjørge Aase, commented: “The contract will give the Armed Forces a new counter-battery radar with excellent protection, mobility, range and accuracy to be utilized in all types of operations both nationally and internationally.”
Morten Minsaas, COO of Ritek concludes: “We expect both financial and organic growth in addition to export opportunities based on our collaboration with Thales. If we succeed together, we foresee an increase in our staff from the current 55 to close to 70 employees - a significant growth for a regional SME like Ritek. Thales will, through the industrial cooperation ambitions, provide Ritek with know-how and technology transfer. Through this, Thales will contribute to a challenging and very interesting development for our employees, as well as the company as such.”

Note to editors:

  • Ground Master 200 Multi Mission Family

The Ground Master 200 Multi Mission family (GM200 MM) is the new generation of Thales’ medium range ground radar including Thales 4D AESA technology. It benefits from Thales GM200 and NS100/200 technology background and many years fielded experience of more than 20 user groups.

The GM200 MM exists in two different mobile versions: The Ground Master 200 Multi Mission “all in one” (GM200 MM/A) targeting mainly Air Surveillance as well as GBAD operations (up to low level MRAD). It maintains the well-known GM200 integrated C2 shelter and facilitates space for the radar mast to gain elevation for low-level air surveillance and two operators on board.

The Ground Master 200 Multi Mission “compact” version (GM200 MM/C) is a pallet version offering higher tactical mobility and quicker deployment, as well as specific mission capabilities such as artillery Counter Battery and Weapon Locating. It also suits well VSHOR/SHORAD missions as its GM200 MM/A brother. Both versions are easy to transport, optimized for network centric remote operations, and ultimately save time in planning, training and operation.

  • 4D AESA family

Thales’ scalable and upgradable antenna architecture is the core of Thales’ new medium- and long-range 4D AESA radar family (NS50, NS100/200, GM200 MM, SMART-L MM / F, Sea Fire and Ground Fire).

The fully digital & software-defined 4D AESA radar technology offers upgrade capacity over the whole life cycle to permanently maintain the tailored operational capability against evolving threats, including enhanced tracking & classification performance.

About Thales
Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies, investing in digital and “deep tech” innovations – connectivity, big data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and quantum computing – to build a confident future crucial for the development of our societies. The Group provides its customers – businesses, organisations and governments – in the defence, aeronautics, space, transport, and digital identity and security domains with solutions, services and products that help them fulfil their critical role, consideration for the individual being the driving force behind all decisions.

Thales has 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2020 the Group generated sales of €17 billion.

About Ritek
Ritek is a former depot level military workshop based in Levanger Norway. Today Ritek is a part of SES37, a Scandinavian group of companies. Ritek is a recognized partner for international defence industry as well as a partner to support the Norwegian Armed Forces with a variety of services. Ritek’s core business is Maintenance Services, Logistic Support, Mechanical Assembly, Retrofit work, Test and Verification and integration services on civilian and military heavy vehicles and equipment. Ritek is currently expanding it’s production capacity to meet the needs from signed contracts as well growth opportunities in the defence market.

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