August 5, 2013: The UAE (United Arab Emirates) is buying 17 French Ground Master 200 (GM200) portable radars. The system fits in a standard 20 foot shipping container and weighs less than ten tons. It is carried on one 6x6 truck. This is an AESA radar that can be set up by a four man crew in 30 minutes. It can detect aircraft at up to 250 kilometers and locate them accurately enough for targeting at 100 kilometers. Aircraft can be seen at up to 25.8 kilometers (80,000 feet) altitude. The entire system will, on average, operate for several thousand hours before experiencing a failure. The radar can also track incoming mortar shells but not ballistic missiles. The UAE is using the GM200 to better coordinate its several different anti-aircraft systems (Improved Hawk, Rapier, Crotale on-order items like Patriot, NASAM, and Avenger) all of which can use real-time data from these radars.

UAE and the manufacturer (Thales) are still working out delivery details. Each radar system will cost about $23 million and will further enhance UAE defenses against Iranian attack.