Italy has awarded over $351 million contract to SELEX Sistemi Integrati for RAT 31 DL radar systems supply

Italian Defence Ministry has awarded over 260 million euro ($351 million) contract to SELEX Sistemi Integrati for the first phase of the supply of radar systems that will permit the launch in Italy of WiMAX, the new technology that provides high-speed wireless internet connections. Under the agreement, twelve RAT 31 DL radar systems and related logistical support will be delivered to the Italian Air Force by 2014. The RAT 31 DL will operate on band D and allow some frequencies currently used by the Defence Ministry on band S to be freed up for the introduction of WiMAX. The new radar systems will replace the RAT 31 SL, installed in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The RAT 31 DL long-range air surveillance radar system is available in fixed (FADR) and mobile (DADR) configurations. To date, a total of 20 fixed systems FADR have been acquired by eight countries, including six NATO members, while two mobile systems DADR have already been ordered by the German Air Force. For the last five years, RAT 31 radar systems have been the best-selling long range systems in NATO countries. With an operating range of around 500 km, the RAT 31 DL system is set to become the main component of NATO air defence.