Gapwaves Secures Five-Year Radar Antenna Supply Deal

The Gapwaves radar antenna supply agreement with Desay SV marks the transition of a SEK 15.5 million development project into commercial series production for next-generation vehicle radar. Signed on September 4, the five-year agreement covers Gapwaves waveguide antennas that will be integrated into Desay SV's high-performance front and corner radar sensors for advanced driver assistance systems. Serial production is planned to begin in the first quarter of 2027 at Frencken Group's certified production facility in Tianjin, China. The agreement establishes a commercial production path following development and qualification activities that began in February 2026.

Gapwaves Moves From Development To Series Production

The agreement represents a significant commercial step for Gapwaves because the SEK 15.5 million development project launched in February 2026 is now moving beyond development and qualification into series production. The final contract value could increase depending on the amount of development required within the end customer's vehicle program. This structure connects the initial development work with a longer-term production opportunity tied to vehicle volumes and program requirements. The five-year supply period also provides a defined framework for continued deliveries once production begins, while the planned 2027 start establishes the expected timing for the transition from project execution to commercial manufacturing.

Frencken Group To Produce Antennas In Tianjin

Series production of the waveguide antennas will be conducted by Frencken Group, Gapwaves' certified production partner, at its facility in Tianjin, China. Using an established production partner allows the antenna program to move into manufacturing through an existing certified production operation rather than establishing a separate production site for the agreement. The planned first-quarter 2027 production start is therefore an important milestone for the program, connecting Gapwaves' antenna technology with a production environment intended to support deliveries for the end customer's vehicle program. The arrangement also places manufacturing directly within the Chinese automotive market.

Desay SV Radar Sensors Target Higher ADAS Performance

Desay SV will integrate Gapwaves' antennas into high-performance front and corner radar sensors designed for advanced driver assistance systems. The agreement initially covers delivery to one of the world's leading automotive manufacturers based in Asia, although the specific automaker is not identified in the article. The program concerns a new radar segment in which higher-performing radar sensors are required. The antennas are therefore positioned as a component within a broader radar sensing system, with their application tied directly to the performance requirements of the vehicle's ADAS and active safety functions. The commercial opportunity may expand according to the development and volume requirements of the vehicle program.

Chinese ADAS Requirements Drive Radar Demand

The demand behind the program is linked to requirements established by Chinese authorities for ADAS and active safety in vehicles sold in the Chinese market. These requirements are driving the need for radar sensors with significantly higher performance, creating a specific market context for the new antenna application. China is therefore central to both the production arrangement and the initial vehicle-market demand described in the agreement. The combination of regulatory requirements, higher-performance sensing needs and series production plans creates the conditions for Gapwaves' waveguide antennas to enter a new radar segment through Desay SV's sensor platforms.

Industry Impact & Outlook

The agreement strengthens the commercial relevance of high-performance radar components as ADAS and active-safety requirements develop in the Chinese automotive market. For Gapwaves, the move into five-year series production provides a path from technology development and qualification toward recurring vehicle-program deliveries, while Desay SV gains access to waveguide antenna technology for its high-performance radar sensors. The initial production arrangement also demonstrates the importance of established manufacturing capabilities in supporting automotive radar programs at scale. The next major milestone is the planned first-quarter 2027 production start, with the eventual contract value dependent in part on the development and volume requirements of the end customer's vehicle program.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Gapwaves begin series production under the agreement?
Gapwaves is scheduled to begin series production in the first quarter of 2027 through its certified production partner, Frencken Group, in Tianjin, China. The five-year supply agreement with Desay SV follows a SEK 15.5 million development project that started in February 2026 and has now moved from development and qualification toward commercial production. The antennas will support Desay SV's high-performance front and corner radar sensors for ADAS applications. The final contract value may increase depending on the development and volume requirements associated with the end customer's vehicle program.