• Vigile D (Radar Electronic Support Measures) solution from Thales is selected for the upgrade of three Royal Netherlands Navy vessels, and two Portuguese Navy frigates,
  • The digital technology of Vigile D enables much greater and more accurate threat detection in an increasingly congested electromagnetic environment, thus increasing the probability of operational success.

The Netherlands Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO), has selected Thales’s innovative digital wideband Radar Electronic Support Measures product Vigile D, as part of an equipment upgrade for three Royal Netherlands Navy warships, and two Portugues Navy frigates undergoing retrofit in the Netherlands.

Vigile D illustrates Thales Electronic Warfare digitalization.

With modern electronic warfare (EW) systems required to cope with the unprecedented growth in Electromagnetic transmissions across the Electromagnetic spectrum (EMS), traditional systems are now suffering from unparalleled saturation, which reduces the probability of accurate threat detection. The need to protect against complex and diverse threats that exploit the EMS is more critical than ever.

Applying our transformative expertise and advanced digital technology, only Vigile D will detect multiple signals simultaneously across a wide frequency range with 100% multi-signal probability detection.

Our digital technology provides the earliest possible warning of radar guided weapons, targeting systems or covertly operating forces, with greater reliability and accuracy than conventional systems even where the electromagnetic spectrum is congested.

In addition to this, because of Thales’s continuous commitment to progress, the company is making EW more versatile and transferable as a military capability; the equipment delivered to DMO uses easily upgradeable software and wideband digital receiver technology, making use of more affordable off-the-shelf technology.

Ultimately, only Vigile D will provide relevant and timely intelligence for decision makers to understand and evaluate their operational environment, making better operational decisions.

“Thales is pleased that DMO has recognised the benefits of the digital technology in Vigile D. As the Netherlands is an advanced user of electronic warfare technology, they are also very much a landmark customer for Thales. The adoption of the Vigile D technology by two other NATO navies in addition to the UK Royal Navy, offers enhanced data exchange between allied warships. Other NATO navies are now actively exploring the integration of Vigile-D onto their fleets, which will broaden the Vigile-D family and generate synergies and benefits across a wide community, for years to come.” Victor Chavez, CEO Thales in the UK.