French firm's new defense system can tackle all types of air threats

Thales, a French defense company, has introduced SkyDefender, a multi-layer air and missile defense system designed to provide comprehensive protection against a wide range of air threats across land, sea, and space domains. The system integrates advanced sensors, including Thales SMART-L MM and UHF radars capable of detecting threats up to 5,000 km away, with an open, modular command-and-control system called SkyView. SkyDefender leverages artificial intelligence through Thales’ cortAIx accelerator to enhance operational superiority and proactively defend against cyberattacks and evolving threats. It also features ForceShield technology to create a protective bubble against short-range threats like drones. SkyDefender offers early-warning capabilities by combining ground-based radars with satellite infrared sensors from Thales Alenia Space, enabling detection and precise tracking of missile launches before they enter radar coverage. The system supports seamless interoperability with NATO and allied platforms via the SkyView Alliance and is compatible with a wide variety of sensors and weapon systems,