Saab to supply Giraffe radars to US Air Force in Europe
The order for the radars was placed by BAE Systems. (Photo: Saab)
Saab began development of the radar in 2012. Production started in 2014 and Sweden ordered systems in 2020 for SEK2.1 billion as part of a five-year deal.
Saab will supply US Air Force in Europe (USAFE) with multiple Giraffe 4A radar systems under a SEK525 million (US$48 million) order placed by BAE Systems on 9 December.
The number of systems included in the contract was not disclosed and deliveries are expected to start in 2027. The systems will provide long-range surveillance and air base air defence in a mobile package for USAFE.
The Giraffe 4A is a medium- to long-range multi-function radar system that combines designs from the Arthur and Giraffe AMB product families. It utilises an AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) radar sensor, offering all-weather coverage against diverse aerial threats, including low-speed UAVs and supersonic missiles.
The radar operates in the S-band frequency, employing GaN (Gallium Nitride) technology for enhanced performance.
It has an instrumented range of up to 400km for air surveillance, up to 280km for tracking air targets and 100km for mortar detection, with elevation coverage reaching up to 70°.
USAFE has seven main air bases in Europe including in the UK, Italy and Germany and notably Incirlik Air Base in Turkey near the Syrian border which is home to the 39th Air Base Wing and vital to operations in the Middle East.
The force also operates out of 32nd Tactical Air Base in Łask, Poland. The importance of the deployment is emphasised by the deployment in 2022 of 12 F-22 Raptors from the 90th Fighter Squadron at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![AUSA 2026 preview: Uncrewed systems and platforms to defend against them set to feature]()
AUSA 2026 preview: Uncrewed systems and platforms to defend against them set to feature
The Association of the US Army’s flagship conference and exhibition takes place in Washington, DC from 12 to 14 October. Shephard takes a look at what might be in store at the 2026 show, with uncrewed and counter-uncrewed systems and platforms under the spotlight.
-
![“A survivable architecture”: why resilient communications are no longer a luxury]()
“A survivable architecture”: why resilient communications are no longer a luxury
In Conversation… Military communications must adapt to a rapidly evolving battlespace, characterised by decentralised forces and an increasingly contested electromagnetic spectrum. To survive and thrive, it is vital to prioritise resilient systems and networks, Faisal Munir, President – Mission-Critical Communications at L3Harris Technologies, told Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan.
-
![New uses for proven weapons: adapting the Chain Gun for CUAS]()
New uses for proven weapons: adapting the Chain Gun for CUAS
Northrop Grumman’s M230LF Chain Gun is finding a growing role in countering uncrewed aerial systems, with the 30mm weapon already deployed to Ukraine and adopted by US forces.
-
![KNDS points RCH 155 towards longer-range artillery future]()
KNDS points RCH 155 towards longer-range artillery future
KNDS Deutschland has fitted a tracked RCH 155 with a new KNDS France 155mm/58cal ordnance, opening a potential path towards significantly longer-range artillery and a future beyond the current NATO standard.
-
![Companies downselected for British Army vehicle programme]()
Companies downselected for British Army vehicle programme
It is believed that three companies did not make the downselect but a dark horse in Spain’s Iturri is believed to have got through.
