The Air and Space Force has confirmed the replacement of the RAT-31 Alenia radar deployed in the Canary Islands with a new generation system developed by national industry. The action directly affects the aerial surveillance network that protects the archipelago and is coordinated with allied air defense standards established by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.
This technological change is carried out within the 22nd Air Surveillance Squadron, the unit responsible for the detection, tracking and identification of aircraft in one of the most sensitive airspaces in Spanish territory. The location of the Canary Islands, close to intercontinental air and sea routes, makes this enclave a critical point for national security.
The system being fielded is the Lanza 3D long-range radar, known as Lanza LRR, designed and manufactured by the Spanish company Indra. Its arrival marks the beginning of the gradual replacement of RAT-31 radars and other long-range sensors that have served for years within the air command and control system.
A technological leap in aerial surveillance
The Lanza LRR radar is designed to function as a long-range, three-dimensional primary sensor. Unlike previous systems, it offers greater accuracy in detecting height, distance and heading, even against aircraft with a weak radar signature or operating at high altitude.
Operational capabilities of the new radar
Among the main improvements brought by this system are:
- Superior range for early aircraft detection.
- Greater resistance to electronic interference.
- Full integration with allied air defense networks.
- Capable of continuous operation in demanding climatic environments.
These characteristics make it possible to reinforce the permanent surveillance of the airspace of the Canary Islands and to improve the capacity to react to any unidentified incursion, both civil and military.
The strategic role of EVA number 22
The 22nd Air Surveillance Squadron depends organically on the Air Combat Command and constitutes one of the pillars of the air defense system in the Atlantic. From its facilities, air traffic crossing Europe, Africa and America is constantly monitored.
The Canary Islands as a geopolitical enclave
The geographical position of the archipelago gives added value to this radar. It not only protects national airspace, but also contributes to collective security in a strategic transit zone for international civil and military operations.
Replacing the RAT-31 with the Lanza LRR helps increase system reliability and reduce maintenance costs associated with older equipment, while increasing interoperability with other sensors deployed on the peninsula.
Progress of the program started in 2024
The first Lanza 3D LRR radar was received by the Air Force in October 2024, starting a phased renovation program. Since then, installation, calibration and commissioning work has progressed gradually.
In July 2025, new steps in the implementation of these systems were confirmed, showing that the deployment is in an active and coordinated phase. The objective is to gradually replace the oldest radars without affecting operational coverage.
Parallel modernization in other squads
The renewal is not limited to the Canary Islands. The 9th Air Surveillance Squadron, based in Grenada, has completed the modernization of its Lanza 3D radar, accumulating more than 190,000 operational hours and fully meeting NATO and civil aviation requirements.
This process guarantees continuous and reliable aerial surveillance, capable of differentiating and managing both civil traffic and possible military threats, thus strengthening the security of the national airspace as a whole.
An air defense network prepared for the future
The replacement of the RAT-31 Alenia radar with the Lanza LRR in the Canary Islands represents a decisive step in the technological transformation of the Air and Space Force. Commitment to systems developed by Spanish industry strengthens strategic autonomy and consolidates key capabilities in the defense field.
With the progressive integration of these radars in different squadrons and the modernization of existing systems, Spain guarantees a more robust and interoperable aerial surveillance network, adapted to current and future challenges, with the Canary Islands as one of its fundamental axes.
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