# Tethered balloon to protect German base in Niger

- Link: https://www.military.africa/2021/09/tethered-aerostat-radar-system-to-protect-german-base-in-niger/
- Published: 2021-09-20T09:56:00+01:00
- Author: Military Africa

Germany has placed a €21 million order with Rheinmetall for an aerostat-based area
reconnaissance system for protecting its forward operating base in Niger.

The Tethered Aerostat Radar System (TARS) is a low-level airborne ground surveillance
system that uses aerostats (balloons) as radar platforms.

Rheinmetall Canada, a subsidiary of Rheinmetall Group will be in charge of integrating
the surveillance balloon’s sensors into the existing military C4I (command, control,
communications, computers, and intelligence) architecture.

According to Rheinmetall, the Aerostats are capable of remaining aloft above the
installation to be protected for extensive periods, the balloons’ highly sensitive
sensors enable them to spot hostile elements even at great distances.

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“These tethered surveillance balloons will give the Bundeswehr a new means of protecting
its forces deployed in Niger,” according to the Rheinmetall.

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‘Experience shows that systems of this type – if only because the possibility of
being detected is plain to see – reduce by fifty percent the likelihood of an attack
by hostile forces,’ said Rheinmetall.

When deployed, the system will be able to detect approaching hostile targets, and
enabling the Bundeswehr to carry out counter-action in the appropriate timeframe.

As part of the solution, Bundeswehr personnel will operate the system using a special
workstation twenty-four hours a week, and Rheinmetall will also train these troops
to perform their future tasks before deployment.

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For some time, Germany has been providing military support to Niger to combat cross-
border militancy and trafficking through the Agadez region of the Sahel. In February,
Germany [provided 15 IAG Guardian Xtreme armored vehicles to Niger to enhance their combat capacity.](https://www.military.africa/2021/09/tethered-aerostat-radar-system-to-protect-german-base-in-niger/military.africa/2021/02/germany-aids-niger-with-15-iag-guardian-xtreme-armoured-vehicle)

Also, earlier this year, Germany [upgraded United Nations’ Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) logistics hub, and deployed a A400 strategic airlifter](https://www.military.africa/2021/09/tethered-aerostat-radar-system-to-protect-german-base-in-niger/military.africa/2021/02/germany-upgrades-minusma-logistics-hub-to-deploy-a400-strategic-airlifter)

Likewise in 2017, Berlin donated 100 flat-bed military trucks, 115 motorcycles and
55 satellite phones to Niger for use by its special army and police counter-terrorism
units to combat cross-border militancy and trafficking through the Agadez region
of the Sahel.

Also in November 2018, Germany gifted 53 logistics vehicles to Niger’s military.
Germany is building an officer training school in Niger and expanding the military
section of the capital’s airport.

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