Australia receives final Giraffe system
Australia’s Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare announced on 30 January that the final of three Counter Rocket Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) Giraffe radars had been delivered to Australia.
Teh Australian Army already has two radar systems currently deployed in Tarin Kot, Afghanistan and this third system will be used to train troops ahead of their deployment to the country.
‘The Giraffe radars provide our troops with early detection of attacks from enemy rockets, artillery and mortars, protecting Australian and ISAF forces,’ stated Clare. ‘This early warning system has proven to be an important force protection capability for our troops, giving them vital seconds of advanced warning so they can take shelter. The addition of a third Giraffe radar to train our soldiers before they deploy means they will be trained to use the full range of the radar’s capabilities from the time they hit the ground.’
Australia assumed responsibility for early detection against rocket, artillery and mortar attacks at Tarin Kot from 28 December 2010. The new Giraffe radars have replaced leased radars and were manufactured in Sweden by Saab under an A$86.2 million contract, which includes support services.
According to the Australian Department of Defence the new radars are the latest in a range of force protection initiatives that over the past few years has delivered A$1 billion in equipment to protect troops in Afghanistan including: up-armouring the Bushmaster patrol vehicle; new combat body armour; heavier calibre support weapons; and new ground-penetrating radar trucks to clear roads of IEDs before troops travel on them.
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![Lockheed Martin wins deals for missiles and systems worth $5 billion]()
Lockheed Martin wins deals for missiles and systems worth $5 billion
There continues to be an insatiable desire for air-defence and air-launched missiles and systems in the US and worldwide. Lockheed Martin’s latest deals reinforce the demand and highlight the supply chain challenge for manufacturing solid rocket motors.
-
![Bahrain approved for $500 million HIMARS order as production surges]()
Bahrain approved for $500 million HIMARS order as production surges
Lockheed Martin’s M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is being widely ordered and deployed. The company has been working to ramp up production while continuing work to design and produce more potent missiles.
-
![Kongsberg Defence Australia cashes in with government support for exports]()
Kongsberg Defence Australia cashes in with government support for exports
Kongsberg Defence Australia is building on the supply of Naval Strike Missile (NSM) systems to Australia to win exports with the support of the government through its Guided Weapons and Explosive Ordnance (GWEO) enterprise and Global Supply Chain Program.
-
![Mack Defense receives new contract as push to refresh trucks continues]()
Mack Defense receives new contract as push to refresh trucks continues
Mack Defense’s M917A3 Heavy Dump Truck (HDT) builds on a commercial vehicle but comes off a dedicated production line. The deal follows previous orders, including orders for Oshkosh’s Family of Medium Tactical Vehicles, along with other logistics and forward-deployed trucks worldwide.
-
![Milrem THeMIS robot tests weapon firing to beyond one kilometre]()
Milrem THeMIS robot tests weapon firing to beyond one kilometre
The Milrem Robotics Tracked Hybrid Modular Infantry System (THeMIS) uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) has seen extensive service in Ukraine with an additional six ordered for Ukraine in May.
-
![JLTV A2 cleared for first export as AM General awaits US Army plans]()
JLTV A2 cleared for first export as AM General awaits US Army plans
The AM General’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) A2 is in low-rate initial production (LRIP) as testing of first vehicles continues. Canada is set to become the first export customer and the likely order will mark an important step for the company as it awaits the outcome of the US Army Transformation Initiative (ATI) which has argued for cuts to JLTV.
