The Egyptian Air Force has initiated a new round of discussions with German defense and electronics manufacturer Hensoldt for the procurement of the TRML-4D mobile air surveillance and target acquisition radar. The system is already compatible with the IRIS-T SL air defense systems currently in service with Egypt, and its expanded deployment is expected to play a key role in reinforcing the country’s layered air defense architecture.

Operating in the C-band, the TRML-4D features an active electronically scanned array (AESA) design, enabling detection of small and low-flying targets at ranges of up to 250 kilometers. The radar can simultaneously track more than 1,500 targets and is designed to maintain high performance even under intense electronic warfare conditions. By combining mechanical and electronic scanning, the system achieves rapid beam steering and a high refresh rate, making it well suited for countering dense and complex aerial threats.

Advanced capabilities such as look-back analysis, cued search, and rapid reaction to pop-up targets significantly enhance the radar’s effectiveness against asymmetric threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles. In addition, TRML-4D can track friendly weapon systems and perform kill assessment, reducing the need for a separate fire control radar and increasing overall operational efficiency.

Egypt’s interest in the TRML-4D is closely linked to its strategic geography and security priorities. Key regions such as the Nile Delta, the Suez Canal, and the Mediterranean and Red Sea coastlines require a robust early warning and surveillance network to counter emerging air threats. Thanks to its mobile design, the TRML-4D can be rapidly deployed to these areas, providing high-accuracy tracking and continuous situational awareness. Experts note that the radar can operate not only as part of missile batteries but also as an independent sensor node within a broader air defense network.

Furthermore, Egypt’s growing focus on Western, network-centric air defense solutions suggests that the TRML-4D could serve as a critical sensor element within a multi-layered defense structure, potentially alongside systems such as NASAMS. Hensoldt’s efforts to expand radar production capacity and integrate the TRML-4D with passive sensors are also seen as positive developments for Egypt’s long-term logistics, maintenance, and operational flexibility.