Indra leads the european R&D programme SHIMBAD to develop a 4D multiband radar, the core sensor of future european warships
The development of this pioneering, fully European technology represents a major technological leap, key to ensuring Europe’s and NATO’s naval superiority
The sensor delivers exceptional situational awareness and the ability to protect vessels against new threats, ranging from hypersonic and sea skimming missiles to drones and uncrewed surface vessels
It is a system capable of performing multiple simultaneous functions, including surveillance and tracking of both airborne and surface threats, guidance and control of friendly projectiles and missiles, and operation integrated within collaborative combat networks
Indra leads the R&D programme SHIMBAD (SHIpborne MultiBand AESA Demonstrator), which is developing the first fully European 4D multiband radar for military vessels, with the aim of strengthening surveillance and protection capabilities against hypersonic missiles, drone attacks and uncrewed surface vessels, among other threats.
The company will coordinate the multinational consortium of this European Defence Fund programme, which has an estimated total cost of €42.5 million, €29.4 million of which is funded by the European Commission. The programme will design, manufacture and validate a scalable prototype of a 4D AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) antenna capable of operating simultaneously across multiple frequency bands. This distinctive feature provides extended air surveillance, high‑precision tracking and advanced electronic protection functions.
This integrated, digital and modular AESA architecture, capable of managing several bands simultaneously and in a coordinated manner, will make it possible to cover the entire detection, tracking and engagement chain with a single system.
The technology demonstrator developed under this project will enable the advanced capabilities of an architecture representing the cutting edge of modern radar systems to be evaluated in a real operational environment.
María del Mar Pomares, Head of Naval Business Development for EU and NATO Cooperations at Indra, stated: “We are developing the architecture of what will become the central sensor of future European warships: a multifunction, multiband system capable of carrying out air and surface surveillance, threat tracking, fire‑control support and operating with high resistance to electronic interference. All of this will be integrated into future European collaborative combat architectures, enabling superior situational awareness and extremely high accuracy in detection and response anticipation.”
The system will also enhance littoral combat capabilities by optimising the detection of small targets at low altitude or on the surface while mitigating coastal clutter. Its ability to guide multiple missiles simultaneously also allows it to respond effectively to saturation attacks.
The project brings together Europe’s leading radar manufacturers and has the strong backing of the Spanish Navy, which is driving this initiative as a key element in defining the future operational requirements it will adopt.
From an industrial perspective, the programme is a strategic project that will strengthen European technological sovereignty and autonomy in the naval domain. Under Indra’s leadership, this industrial alliance seeks not only to advance technological capabilities, but also to establish a common framework that facilitates interoperability and the future evolution of the systems deployed by navies across Europe.
With SHIMBAD, Indra reinforces its position as a driving force behind major European strategic R&D&i projects, demonstrating its ability to coordinate complex industrial ecosystems and lead developments of high strategic value. Since the launch of the first programmes promoted by the European Commission through the European Defence Fund and preparatory initiatives, Indra has taken part in more than 90 projects, leading 13 of them, including strategically significant initiatives such as this one for the defence of the continent.