Thales to Supply NATO with Deployable Tactical Air Navigation System for Spain
Thales has been selected by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency to deliver its next-generation Deployable Tactical Air Navigation (D-TACAN) system to the Spanish Air & Space Force. The cyber-resilient system will support safe air navigation and landing operations, including in GPS-denied environments.
Thales will supply a next-generation Deployable Tactical Air Navigation (D-TACAN) system to the Spanish Air & Space Force under a contract awarded by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). The agreement enhances military air navigation capabilities for Spain.
The D-TACAN system is designed to ensure safe navigation, approach, and landing operations from both permanent and temporary airfields. It also provides an alternative navigation capability in environments where Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals may be denied, degraded, or jammed, enhancing operational resilience.
Manufacturing of the D-TACAN system will take place at Thales' facility in Gorgonzola, Italy, which is noted as the European Union's sole manufacturing site for TACAN navigation aids. Integration and maintenance will be handled by Thales in Spain, highlighting European industrial cooperation.
The contract includes a comprehensive integrated logistics support package, covering spare parts, training, and documentation, to ensure the system's long-term availability. The D-TACAN is based on Thales' Ground Based TACAN 553 technology, housed in a transportable shelter for rapid deployment and continuous 24/7 operation in demanding conditions.