The French defense procurement agency, Direction générale de l’armement (DGA), has conducted a new series of trials aimed at validating software upgrades to the MURIN battlefield surveillance radar developed by Thales.
According to a public release by DGA, the testing campaign took place at the DGA Maîtrise de l’information test center and utilized the mobile hybrid simulation platform BAGUERA.
This advanced test bench replicates realistic electromagnetic warfare conditions and is regularly used to evaluate the performance of critical military equipment such as radars, jammers, missile seekers, and electronic countermeasures.
The MURIN radar system, in operational service with French forces since 2018, supports short- and medium-range ground surveillance with a detection range of up to 27 kilometers. It is capable of identifying and tracking various mobile threats including dismounted infantry, ground vehicles, aerial platforms, and even artillery shell impacts.
The upgraded system also includes a fire correction mode designed to assist artillery crews by refining targeting based on real-time impact data. This feature is particularly important for improving strike accuracy and lethality in dynamic battlefield conditions.
The radar is integrated into the GRIFFON VOA artillery observation vehicle, part of the broader SCORPION modernization program managed by KNDS France. The integration is intended to enhance the artillery’s overall effectiveness by delivering real-time targeting support directly to front-line units.
In a statement, DGA highlighted that the BAGUERA test platform was essential in assessing the updated software’s performance under simulated combat conditions. The system’s capability to operate in contested electromagnetic environments was a key focus of the trial.
The MURIN’s multi-mission functionality and adaptability make it a core element of France’s tactical sensor suite, particularly as European armed forces prioritize battlefield digitization and network-centric operations. French officials see this radar as a tool not only for surveillance but also for fire support coordination across combined arms formations.
As noted by the agency, the radar has been widely deployed across French Army units and continues to play a vital role in surveillance and target acquisition. The software enhancements are expected to improve real-time detection fidelity and better integrate with future digital command-and-control systems.