Russia nears completion of giant over-the-horizon radar in Kaliningrad
A large radar complex is reportedly almost finished in Russia's Kaliningrad exclave, wedged between NATO members Poland and Lithuania. Experts say it could let Moscow monitor nearly all of Europe and Ukraine.
Construction of a large radar complex is reportedly nearly complete near Gvardeysk in Kaliningrad, Russia's heavily militarized exclave on the Baltic Sea. The facility has three radiating arms, each more than 500 meters long. Russia has not confirmed it is building the site. Kaliningrad lies between NATO members Poland and Lithuania, so any military buildup there matters for the alliance's eastern flank.
What the radar could do
Vaidotas Malinionis, a retired Lithuanian commander and security expert, told DW that the over-the-horizon (OTH) radar could have a range of about 3,000 kilometers. That would let Moscow observe almost every corner of Europe, as well as Ukraine. The system would reportedly be able to intercept satellite communications and detect aircraft movements and ballistic missiles. Malinionis said it is not yet known whether the radar is operational, but construction is definitely under way.
The British newspaper The Times, citing the Finnish-Polish space and defense technology company ICEYE, reports that the systems are mainly meant for detecting and jamming electronic signals. In Malinionis's view, early warning of NATO troop movements would give Russia more time for decision-making.
Experts warn of escalation
Latvian geopolitical analyst Evija Djatkovica said the radar would help Russia detect low-flying objects, making the integration of drones into regional defense doctrines less effective. She described it as a sign of intensifying rivalry between Russia and NATO that could lead to further militarization.
ICEYE has reportedly found another large circular antenna complex near Chernyakhovsk, about 50 kilometers west of Gvardeysk, according to the German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung. The region reportedly hosts more than 20 signal and electronic warfare facilities, new fighter jet shelters at the Chkalovsk airfield and launch pads at an S-400 surface-to-air missile site in Baltiysk.
Meanwhile, German arms producer Rheinmetall is building Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellites with ICEYE. They provide precise images even at night or in bad weather. The first are due to be launched on a SpaceX rocket in early 2027. Malinionis also noted that the huge radar is a fairly easy target.
