French Army Receives Five Upgraded COBRA Counter-Battery Radars

Defense News ,France :- In a significant development for the collaborative defense initiative between Germany and France, the first five French COBRA counter-battery radar systems have undergone successful positioner upgrades at the 1st Artillery Regiment in Belfort, France. This joint effort involved key stakeholders, including the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), the French defence procurement agency (DGA), the French Army, the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw), the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), Lockheed Martin, and ESG.

The retrofitting process, a result of meticulous teamwork, has rendered the initial batch of COBRA systems fully operational and serviceable. This accomplishment marks the beginning of a broader campaign, aiming to retrofit a total of 20 COBRA systems in France and Germany by the end of 2025. The latest upgrades address critical obsolescence issues and significantly enhance the reliability of these advanced counter-battery radar systems.

The COBRA (COunter Battery RAdar) program, in operation since 2005 with deliveries completed in 2007, highlights the enduring collaboration between Germany and France in defense technology. An In-Service Support (ISS) contract with ESG, renewed in late 2022, and a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with the NSPO, guarantee comprehensive logistical support and maintenance for the COBRA systems until 2025. Managed by the OCCAR-EA COBRA Programme Division, ongoing efforts include system improvements and obsolescence rectifications initiated in 2019 as part of a Mid-Life Upgrade to extend the systems’ lifecycle.

Recognized globally as the most advanced land-based weapon locating system, COBRA boasts the ability to detect and classify enemy artillery, rocket launchers, and mortar positions within a 100 km range. Remarkably, it can locate up to 40 batteries in just two minutes. Equipped with a high-performance radar, sophisticated processing capabilities, and an integrated command and control communications system, COBRA stands as a critical asset for both offensive operations and peacekeeping missions.