December 26, 2010:
Germany is upgrading its Cold War era air defense system by purchasing six GM400 air defense radars. These semi-portable (each system can be moved in two 20 foot cargo containers) radars have a range of 400 kilometers, see the aerial situation in 3-D and, on average, operate 24 hours a day, for about five months, before suffering a system failure (which can often be fixed in a few hours, or less). The GM 400s the German Air Force receives will have IFF (Identify, Friend or Foe) equipment installed.