Reference News Network, March 14 report. According to the French newspaper Le Figaro's website on March 11, the name reveals the mission: Thales' latest air defense and missile defense system, "Sky Shield," will integrate radar and satellite capabilities, weapon systems, and command and control centers within a single "air protection dome." This defense company released the "Sky Shield" system ahead of the Brussels Defense Exhibition on March 11.
Alain Daman, Deputy General Manager of Thales' land-air systems, explained, "Sky Shield is an integrated air defense and missile defense protection system that incorporates artificial intelligence technology and has network protection capabilities. It features a multi-layered defense design, aiming to protect a country's land, maritime, and space targets. This is unique in the world." All components of this system are embedded with artificial intelligence technology developed by the group's engineers.
Daman added, "These different components are integrated into an open architecture modular system coordinated by Thales' 'SkyView' system. Our solution is compatible." In other words, future customers can choose to purchase the complete 'Sky Shield' system or select one or more components, which can be interfaced with existing other equipment and weapon systems to ensure interoperability.
Daman also said, "Sky Shield fully utilizes Thales' expertise in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to provide customers with operational advantages and defend against cyber attacks. The system already exists and is available for deployment worldwide." Thanks to its multi-layered protection system covering short, medium, and long ranges, it promises to protect government, citizens, critical military and civilian infrastructure, and forces in war zones from various aerial threats—from relatively "slow" armed drones to hypersonic missiles traveling faster than five times the speed of sound.
"Sky Shield" integrates the "Power Shield" air defense system, forming a short-range protective shield above troops and strategic facilities, equipped with various weapon systems such as cannons and rocket launchers, specifically designed to counter drone threats. It also integrates the medium-range land-based air defense system SAMP/T NG developed by the European Air Defense Missile Company. This system is powerful, equipped with the Aster air defense missile, and used in conjunction with Thales' new ground radar GF 300. This radar can detect, identify, and track hundreds of targets simultaneously, achieving full 360-degree coverage with a detection range of 360 kilometers. For long-range defense, "Sky Shield" is equipped with Thales' Smart-L MM and UHF radars, capable of detecting threats up to 5,000 kilometers away.
The system can also be equipped with geostationary orbit space-based early warning capabilities. This relies on satellites equipped with infrared sensors, allowing it to detect missile launches before they enter the coverage area of ground radars. Daman gave an example: "If the space-based component can detect a missile launch 3,000 kilometers away. It transmits the information to the command and control system, which then passes it to the radar, which immediately detects and tracks the missile, while the command and control system coordinates the best weapon system for interception. All of this happens within a few seconds."
Thales has already established itself in the air defense market and is positioning itself as an integrator of complex and comprehensive systems. Faced with geopolitical turmoil and threats from swarms of armed drones and hypersonic missiles, more and more countries are seeking to equip themselves with complete integrated protection systems. Despite this, no system has yet proven to be completely impenetrable.
In this market, multiple solutions are competing against each other. There is Israel's Iron Dome, developed with U.S. support (Tel Aviv has recommended it to NATO and Europe), and Leonardo's "Michelangelo Security Dome," which will be launched by Italy at the end of 2025. Germany is also participating in the competition through its "European Sky Shield" initiative launched in 2022. In this context, Daman emphasized, "Sky Shield is a European alternative for the global market."
Thales states that it is ready to cooperate with industrial enterprises in customer countries to develop new systems and integrate them into "Sky Shield." This French company also plans to participate in the U.S. market to join President Trump's "Gold Dome" missile defense system announced in January 2025. (Translated by Pan Geping)
Original: toutiao.com/article/7617010392136434226/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.