Thales strengthens Portugal’s very short-range air defence capabilities with ForceShield system

• Thales and NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) have signed a contract for the supply of a ForceShield system to the Portuguese Army, which is designed to reinforce Portugal's very short-range air defence (VSHORAD) capabilities. It meets NATO requirements, which encourages its members to increase their VSHORAD capabilities, improve theatre protection and defend against high-visibility threats.
• This ForceShield contract is the first contract for Thales in a European Union country and part of the long-term Military Programming Law (LPM), which defines the strategic framework for the modernization of the Armed Forces' in-service equipment.
• The ForceShield solution acquired includes a Ground Master 200 air surveillance radar, a radio communications system, Air Defence command-and-control centre ControlView together with portable weapon allocation terminals, RapidRanger vehicles with LMM and StarStreak effectors.

Thales is pleased to announce the signing of a contract with NSPA, for the acquisition of a ForceShield system by the Portuguese Army. This is a landmark contract, not only because it is the first signed for the benefit of the Portuguese Army by Thales, but also because it is the first ForceShield contract that Thales has signed with a European country. The contract is designed to strengthen Portugal's very short-range air defence (VSHORAD) capabilities.

ForceShield is Thales's air defence solution, designed to protect forces, citizens and critical infrastructure from an increasingly diverse range of airborne threats - from low-altitude threats such as Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) to helicopters, fighter ground attacks or cruise missiles.

ForceShield provides appropriate components to detect, coordinate, engage and neutralise threats. The contract includes a complete ForceShield Compact solution, with a Ground Master 200 air surveillance radar, a radio communications system, Air Defence command-and-control centre ControlView together with portable weapon allocation terminals. This air defence system includes as well RapidRanger vehicles with StarStreak high velocity Air Defence Missile and Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) anti-armour missiles. ​

The Ground Master 200 radar establishes tracks faster and keeps them locked for longer; hence maximising situational awareness for optimum engagement. This gives time to the ControlView to evaluate the threat, while allocating the appropriate firing units for air target engagement through each weapon terminal.

RapidRanger is a unique lightweight, vehicle based, highly automated system capable of delivering a rapid reaction response to air and surface threats. It will be fitted with StarStreak and LMM missiles.

“Thales is proud to contribute effectively to the capability enhancement of Portuguese Army. This first contract is a recognition of the trust on our air defence systems by NATO countries and all over the world to support nations safeguarding their airspace sovereignty”, Raphael DESI, Vice-President Integrated Airspace protection Systems, Thales.

About Thales in Portugal

Thales Portugal, with over 36 years of presence in the country, is a key contributor to Thales Group’s global operations. It operates two main centres of excellence: one for naval engineering, focused on developing combat management systems, and another for air traffic management solutions.

Thales employs over 400 people in Portugal, actively supporting the defence, aerospace, and cybersecurity sectors, while playing a significant role in advancing Portugal’s technological infrastructure.

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies specialising in three business domains: Defence & Security, Aeronautics & Space and Cybersecurity & Digital identity.

It develops products and solutions that help make the world safer, greener and more inclusive.

The Group invests close to €4 billion a year in Research & Development, particularly in key innovation areas such as AI, cybersecurity, quantum technologies, cloud technologies and 6G.

Thales has close to 81,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2023, the Group generated sales of €18.4 billion.