Latvia and Estonia are set to receive German-made radars as part of the European Sky Shield Initiative. Defense electronics manufacturer Hensoldt will provide the technology, valued at over €100 million. The TRML-4D radars will be integrated into the IRIS-T SLM air defense systems for the two countries in a deal worth over €1 billion.
The TRML-4D radar can detect and track aerial targets within a 250-kilometer radius, capable of following around 1,500 targets simultaneously. The European Sky Shield Initiative, led by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, aims to bolster the continent’s air defenses against Russian and Iranian threats.
The initiative includes 21 participating countries, with the goal of establishing a continuous defense barrier across Europe. Hensoldt has now produced more than 80 radars for the initiative alone. The German-made IRIS-T system is used for short- and medium-range defense, with some countries also acquiring long-range missile systems.
The Baltic states were among the first to join the initiative, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The initiative has led to increased spending on air defense across Europe, with Poland joining in April. France, Italy, and Spain are not part of the initiative, which has faced criticism for relying on non-European components.
