Thales EagleShield

The EagleShield from Thales (France) is a long-range counter-drone system for airports, critical sites, police and armed forces. It is built around the Gamekeeper radar, complemented by AI classification and a decision aid for the situation picture. Gamekeeper goes back to Aveillant, a company that belongs to Thales.

The detection range is 20 km according to the manufacturer, with 360 degrees of coverage. The radar detects drones whether or not they emit, and according to the manufacturer tracks any number of targets at the same time; that is the difference from a radio detector, which sees only emitting drones. AI classification assigns detected targets to classes, and the decision aid prepares the picture for response forces. As with all manufacturer ranges, the 20 km applies to favourable conditions and depends on drone size and terrain.

Detection alone can be considered by operators of critical infrastructure, airports and event organisers. The radar transmits and needs a frequency assignment (§ 91 para. 1 TKG), but it does not evaluate radio traffic; the classification is open only for radio detection, which touches the secrecy of telecommunications (Fernmeldegeheimnis). Jammers may be operated only by authorities in Germany (§ 91 TKG) and in Poland (Art. 42 of the Electronic Communications Law, Dz.U. 2024 item 1221). Who may act actively against drones is narrowly fixed by law: in Poland Art. 156ze of the Aviation Law (Dz.U. 2025 item 179), in Germany hazard prevention lies with the police, with the armed forces under § 15a LuftSiG as administrative assistance.

For a large radar, site selection with a clear horizon, clutter from wind turbines and buildings, foundation, power supply and regular calibration count. The classification software has to be maintained so that new drone models are correctly assigned; the link to the control room and security authorities belongs to planning.