Thales has secured a significant contract to provide software-defined radio equipment and associated support services to all three branches of the Irish Defence Forces. Around 2,500 radios from the SYNAPS product family and over 3,500 SquadNet tactical radios will be initially provided under the terms of the deal. Thales is positioned by the Framework Agreement as an important ally of the Irish Defence Forces.
The SquadNet radio system is perfect for dismounted soldiers since it is lightweight, portable, easy to use, and has a 24-hour battery life. SquadNet provides radio programming, battery recharge, location display, and secure voice conversations in addition to a data sharing option. The Austrian military forces are one such group that has embraced this solution.
SYNAPS is based on work done for Europe’s largest software radio program, CONTACT, in France. The deal covers the supply of all SYNAPS radio models, including SYNAPS-A radios for different Air Corps aircraft, SYNAPS-V radios for land vehicles and navy vessels, and SYNAPS-H hand-held radios for land forces. The Belgian military forces, for example, have implemented this solution.
The safe, dependable ESSOR High Data Rate (HDR) interoperability waveform and the widely used GEOMUX waveform in Europe have led Ireland to decide to purchase radio equipment that allow for interoperability with partner countries while they are deployed abroad.
It gives us great pleasure to assist the Irish Defence Forces in their efforts to achieve digital transformation and modernize their capabilities. Ireland’s armed services can be sure that their operational missions will continue and that the switch to this new radio technology will go smoothly by choosing Thales’ software-defined radios, according to Executive Vice-President of Secure Communications & Information Systems Christophe Salomon.
