Following the assignment of the tender to supply five Firefinder radar systems and associated logistics support, SELEX Sistemi Integrati has signed a contract worth €83 M with Teledife (the Italian General Directorate of Telecommunications, IT and Advanced Technologies).

Under the terms of the contract, SELEX Sistemi Integrati, as the head of a consortium of companies with SAAB Microwave SA, will integrate SAAB Microwave’s Arthur radars with the existing SIACCON command and control systems previously supplied to the Italian Army. The company will manage the entire project and will also perform modifications to the radar equipment, supply all navigation and communication devices, as well as ensuring the mobility of the system. Arthur radars have been successfully employed in Afghanistan and have also been utilized by the Armed Forces in several countries during peacekeeping missions.

Firefinder radars are battlefield surveillance systems that protect units on operations. They are able to identify sources of enemy fire and respond quickly, even in adverse weather conditions, due to the ease of data recording and deployment and good mobility in the field. All information gathered is transmitted to a dedicated command and control centre for coordinating the mission. The systems can co-operate with UAVs and are suitable for integration with NATO command and control systems.

The newly awarded contract also covers the provision of training for operators, as well as installation and system management support, and the entire order is scheduled to be delivered within 36 months.