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.
More from Land Warfare
-
![DSEI 2025: Polaris displays new all-terrain vehicle with Alakran mortar system]()
DSEI 2025: Polaris displays new all-terrain vehicle with Alakran mortar system
The Polaris Government and Defense’s Military RZR (MRZR) Alpha 1KW was displayed at the Modern Day Marine exposition in the US earlier this year and with the Alakran mobile mortar weapon system at DSEI. The company outlined recent firing trials with the Alakran mobile mortar weapon system (MMWS) which was weeks after the company announced a major NATO deal.
-
![The first of 663 BvS10s delivered to Germany, Sweden and the UK]()
The first of 663 BvS10s delivered to Germany, Sweden and the UK
The vehicles are based on the latest version of the BvS10 All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) and include variants for troop transport, logistics, medical evacuation, recovery, and command and control. An unarmoured version is being delivered to the US and offered to Canada.
-
![DSEI 2025: Thales creating new remote weapon station and Storm 2 counter-drone jammer]()
DSEI 2025: Thales creating new remote weapon station and Storm 2 counter-drone jammer
Thales launched Storm-H in 2012 as an EW system equipping individual dismounted troops, and a decade later revealed details to develop the improved and more powerful Storm 2.
-
![Denmark shuns US platform as it settles on SAMP/T air defence system]()
Denmark shuns US platform as it settles on SAMP/T air defence system
The acquisition, which is part of the country’s broader defence package worth DKK58 billion (US$9.2 billion), goes against the grain with many other European countries opting for the US’s popular Patriot platform.
-
![In depth: Competition for British Army vehicle programme heats up, despite more delays]()
In depth: Competition for British Army vehicle programme heats up, despite more delays
The UK’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP) seems set to be delayed once again but industry is jockeying for position to partner in what would be one of the biggest ever buys for the British Army.
