Indra secures contract to supply space surveillance radar for German Air Force

The system will help protect satellites in service from potential collisions with space debris, which travels at high speeds and could cause severe damage or disable vital systems. Additionally, it will monitor attempts by other satellites to approach critical German assets, ensuring security and operational integrity in space.

Indra’s German subsidiary played a key role in securing the contract, demonstrating the company’s expertise in aerospace and defence technology. The selection was based on the radar’s proven maturity, high performance, and modular design, which allows for progressive enhancements and adaptability to future requirements.

Manuel Ruiz, Indra’s Director of Integrated Defence Systems, emphasised the significance of this technology in safeguarding essential services. He noted that the radar protects vital space-based functions such as communications, transport, logistics, and meteorology. Ruiz expressed pride in collaborating with the Bundeswehr and highlighted the contributions of the CDTI (Centre for the Development of Industrial Technology), the Spanish Space Agency, and the Spanish Space Command in advancing the radar’s development.

The German Space Command (WRKdoBw) will oversee the operation of the new surveillance radar. It will be remotely controlled from the Space Situational Awareness Centre (WRLageZ) in Uedem, integrating data from additional national sensors, including recently acquired telescopes. This comprehensive network will improve Germany’s ability to track and catalogue objects in near-Earth orbit, supporting space situational awareness.

The acquisition is part of Germany’s broader “L-GUARD” programme (LEO – Groundbased Upscaled AESA Radar), which falls under the national Space Surveillance System (SysWRÜbw). This initiative aligns with European efforts to strengthen technological sovereignty in space surveillance, ensuring the continent’s long-term security and independence in this critical domain.

Indra’s involvement further reinforces European cooperation in space defence, drawing from its expertise as the developer of the S3TSR surveillance radar, currently in use by the Spanish Space Command. The S3TSR system plays a key role in the European Union Space Surveillance and Tracking (EU-SST) consortium, which maintains a detailed catalogue of active and inactive satellites and space debris to prevent potential collisions.

The newly developed radar for Germany will be one of the most advanced space debris detection systems in the world, surpassing the capabilities of the S3TSR. The contract covers the production, integration, and delivery of the radar, alongside the provision of operational capabilities and technical and logistical support. This project will significantly bolster Europe’s ability to safeguard military and civilian space assets, ensuring uninterrupted access to vital satellite services in an increasingly contested space environment.