France Revives “Nostradamus” Over-the-Horizon Radar with €50 Million Boost for Strategic Autonomy

Paris, September 5, 2025 – France has announced a major €50 million investment to modernize its unique Nostradamus over-the-horizon radar, aiming to secure an independent European early-warning system against growing ballistic and hypersonic threats.

Ancient Name, Modern Shield

Developed in the 1990s by the French Aerospace Lab ONERA, Nostradamus has long been one of Europe’s most advanced radar assets. Unlike conventional systems, it uses ionospheric reflection of high-frequency waves to see far beyond the Earth’s curvature, covering several thousand kilometers in every direction. This means it can track aircraft, ballistic missiles, hypersonic weapons exceeding Mach 5, and even high-altitude balloons.

The radar site in Eure-et-Loir spans twelve hectares, with three 140-meter antenna branches arranged like a star. Operational since the mid-2000s, it has previously proven its strength—detecting stealth bombers during the Kosovo conflict and monitoring rocket launches from French Guiana.

A €50 Million Modernization Push

On September 4, France’s Defense Innovation Agency signed an agreement with ONERA to launch the upgrade. An initial €2 million will fund experimentation and adaptation, with the broader €50 million package scheduled under the Military Programming Law.

The modernization aims to:

• Sharpen detection accuracy and reliability,

• Ensure seamless integration into a European defense network,

• Expand coverage for high-speed and unconventional aerial threats.

General Alexis Rougier of the French Air and Space Force stressed that Nostradamus is “the first building block of an extended air defense system, from the ground to space.”

Why Now: Lessons from Ukraine and Beyond

The war in Ukraine has revived concerns over missile threats in Europe. Russia’s use of advanced missile systems, including hypersonic types, has underscored the need for rapid detection and longer reaction times. Traditional radar often leaves only minutes to intercept such weapons.

By reinforcing Nostradamus, France seeks to reduce dependence on U.S. early-warning systems, which remain the backbone of Europe’s defenses today. Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu highlighted the project as essential to European sovereignty in air and space defense.

Toward a European Early-Warning Network

Nostradamus will not stand alone. France and Germany are pushing joint initiatives such as a new early-warning satellite constellation, while the EU’s TWISTER program is developing space-based detection and missile interceptors. Together, these projects aim to build a layered defense shield covering everything from low-altitude drones to near-space hypersonic vehicles.

A Strategic Step Forward

For France, reviving Nostradamus is more than a technical update—it’s a strategic milestone. By the late 2020s, the radar is expected to be fully modernized and integrated into Europe’s defense grid. With its unparalleled range and ability to monitor millions of cubic kilometers of airspace, Nostradamus could become the linchpin of Europe’s independent early-warning system.

Bottom line: France is ensuring that Europe will no longer be blind to the skies. With Nostradamus reborn, the continent gains a powerful tool to face the age of ballistic and hypersonic threats.