Indra is leading the SHIMBAD program to develop the 4D multiband radar for future European military vessels.

 

Indra leads from Madrid the European R&D program SHIMBAD to develop a pioneering multiband 4D radar. This project aims to enhance naval security. Unión Europea and OTAN in the face of hypersonic threats and unmanned systems, ensuring continental technological autonomy.

 

A technological leap for European naval superiority

 

The company Indra has assumed the coordination of the multinational consortium SHIMBAD (SHIpborne MultiBand AESA Demonstrator), an initiative framed in the Fondo Europeo de DefensaThe main objective is the design, manufacture, and validation of a scalable prototype of an electronically scanned antenna. AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) 4DThis system is distinguished by its ability to operate simultaneously in multiple frequency bands, which represents the cutting edge of modern radar systems.

 

This new sensor will provide a extended situational awareness and an unprecedented capacity for protection against emerging threats on the global stage, ranging from hypersonic missiles and sea-skimming projectiles to swarms of drones and unmanned vessels. By integrating a digital and modular architecture, the system will allow the entire detection, tracking, and intervention chain to be managed from a single, coordinated platform.

 

Project Concept SHIMBAD	Financial and Technical Details
Estimated Total Investment	42,5 millones de euros
Contribution of the Comisión Europea	29,4 millones de euros
Main Technology	4D Multiband AESA Radar
Coordinating Entity	Indra

 

Advanced capabilities and collaborative combat

 

The implementation of this technology will allow military vessels to perform simultaneous surveillance and tracking functions in both air and surface environments. Furthermore, the radar will be capable of guide and control own projectilesoperating in an integrated manner within future European collaborative combat networks.

 

María del Mar Pomares, responsible for Naval Business Development in Cooperations UE y OTAN en IndraHe highlights the project's importance: "We are developing the architecture for what will be the central sensor of future European military vessels: a multi-function, multi-band system. This will all be integrated into future European collaborative combat architectures, enabling superior situational awareness, enormous detection accuracy, and faster response times."

 

The program has the strategic backing of Armada Españolawhich uses this initiative to define the operational requirements of its future fleets. Key operational advantages include:

 

• Extreme resistance against deliberate electronic interference.
• Detection optimization of small objects at low altitudes in coastal environments.
• Responsiveness against saturation attacks through the simultaneous guidance of multiple missiles.
• Interoperability between the different European navies thanks to a common technological framework.

 

Industrial leadership and technological sovereignty

 

From a global business perspective, the project SHIMBAD strengthens the position of Indra as a driving force behind major R&D&I programs on the continent. With this new leadership, the company now participates in more than 90 projects driven by the Comisión Europea, leading 13 of them. This industrial alliance, which includes the main radar manufacturers of Europa, is fundamental to consolidating the strategic naval autonomy against external competitors.

 

Key points and frequently asked questions about SHIMBAD

 

What differentiates the 4D multiband radar from current systems?
Unlike conventional radars, the program's technology SHIMBAD It allows operation on several frequency bands simultaneously and in a coordinated manner, which provides superior precision and the ability to perform multiple tasks (surveillance, tracking and missile guidance) simultaneously.

 

How does this project contribute to the European economy and defense?
The project ensures the technological sovereignty of Europareducing dependence on external suppliers and fostering a common defense industrial base that facilitates interoperability between the navies of member countries.

 

What specific threats does this new sensor protect against?
It is specially designed to detect and neutralize highly complex threats such as hypersonic missiles, drones, unmanned vessels, and saturation attacks, where the system must process multiple enemy targets at once.