Germany’s federal defense procurement authority has selected Thales to provide 60 Ground Observer 12 (GO12) short-range battlefield radar systems for the German Armed Forces. The agreement also covers supplementary equipment, spare parts, and operator training, with deliveries planned for 2026 from Thales’ expanded production facility in Ditzingen.
The GO12 is a compact surveillance and artillery-location radar designed to detect drones, vehicles, and other battlefield targets with full 360-degree coverage. Optimized for mobile infantry units, the system consists of a radar sensor, control laptop, tripod, cables, and a battery capable of supporting up to six hours of continuous operation.
Weighing little enough to be transported in a backpack, the 28-liter sensor unit can be carried by two soldiers alongside their standard combat gear. The radar can be deployed by a single operator in approximately two minutes and features an Ethernet interface for seamless integration with IP-based communication networks.
Operating in the Ku-band frequency range, the GO12 can accurately identify dismounted troops at distances of up to 8 kilometers and track vehicles or helicopters out to 16 kilometers. The system maintains effective performance in low-visibility conditions, including darkness, fog, and heavy rainfall.
