Breaking News
Portugal Upgrades Its Air Defense System by Replacing Its Chaparral with French RapidRanger.
The Portuguese Army has reportedly selected Thales' RapidRanger as its new air defense system, replacing the now-retired M48A2E1/A3 Chaparral, according to a Defense Archives article dated October 27, 2024. The announcement was made during Army Day celebrations at an exposition in Guarda, Portugal, where Captain Filipe Gonçalves introduced the new system in a promotional video posted on the Portuguese Army's Instagram account.
The RapidRanger is a vehicle-mounted, automated air defense system designed to respond quickly and effectively to a wide range of threats, whether airborne or ground-based. (Picture source: Thales)
Since 2017, Portugal has been seeking a replacement for its aging Chaparral air defense systems. Initially, the acquisition program aimed to procure two mobile 3D radars, eight launchers, eight portable weapon terminals, and eight tactical trucks (4x4 or 6x6) through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), with a budget estimated at 32 million euros. However, due to budgetary constraints and delays, the program's scope was gradually reduced.
The latest tender, launched in December 2023, called for the acquisition of a single mobile 3D radar, with an option for another, three launchers with the possibility of a fourth, and two portable weapon terminals, with an option for two more. The tender also specified an initial delivery of seven missiles, with contract options for three additional batches of eight missiles each.
In response to the December 2023 tender, six companies submitted bids: Diehl Defense, Aselsan, Roketsan, PIT-Radwar SA, MBDA France, and Thales Group. After a competitive evaluation, Thales' RapidRanger emerged as the preferred solution. Although a final contract has not yet been publicly signed, details indicate that the system will be mounted on Vamtac ST5 vehicles and will include three launchers. The RapidRanger platform supports various missiles, such as the Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM) and the Starstreak.
The RapidRanger is a vehicle-mounted, automated air defense system designed to respond quickly and effectively to a wide range of threats, whether airborne or ground-based. Its development addresses the evolving security challenges faced by military and civilian sectors, where threats have become more diverse and require versatile defense solutions. As a fast and agile system, the RapidRanger can be rapidly deployed and seamlessly integrated into a networked force structure, making it adaptable to various combat scenarios. It is capable of coordinating with early warning Command and Control (C2) systems, enhancing situational awareness and response times.
One of the key features of the RapidRanger is its ability to integrate and launch multiple types of missiles, including Thales' STARStreak and the Lightweight Multirole Missile (LMM). This multi-missile capability offers operational flexibility, allowing the system to adapt to different target types according to mission requirements. Its modular design enables it to be mounted on a wide range of vehicles, both wheeled and tracked, providing deployment flexibility across various terrains. The system is equipped with day, low-light, and thermal imaging cameras, as well as an automatic target tracker (ATT), allowing it to operate autonomously. Additionally, it includes a 360-degree surveillance sensor, which can be either a passive infrared search and track (IRST) system or an integrated surveillance and tracking radar, ensuring comprehensive coverage and detection of potential threats.
With a weight of less than 500 kg, the RapidRanger's lightweight construction enhances its mobility and ease of integration onto different platforms, thereby improving operational deployment capabilities. It is capable of detecting targets at ranges exceeding 15 km and neutralizing them at distances of more than 7 km. This combination of agility, autonomy, and multi-role capability makes the RapidRanger a valuable asset in modern air defense operations, enabling rapid responses to emerging threats while providing a scalable defense solution adaptable to different mission profiles.
With an initial delivery of only seven missiles, one of which is intended for a live-fire exercise, the available inventory may initially equip just one launcher completely, while the second launcher would carry a reduced payload. The third launcher might be left without immediate ammunition, depending on future procurement decisions.
The selection of the RapidRanger marks a step in modernizing Portugal's air defense capabilities, with further details anticipated as the final contract is signed and deliveries commence. The deployment of the system is expected to enhance the mobility and responsiveness of the Portuguese Army's air defense units.