The US Army has ordered Giraffe 1X radar systems from Swedish defence contractor Saab to support security co-operation partners.
Valued at approximately $46m, the contract was booked in Q3 2025.
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Saab is scheduled to begin delivering the radar systems in 2026.
Giraffe 1X operates as an air surveillance radar in the ground-based air defence (GBAD) domain.
It provides commanders with target data, drone detection, and counter-artillery, rocket and mortar (C-RAM) sense-and-warn capability within a single system.
The system weighs less than 150kg, with a topside component of 100kg.
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By GlobalDataIt is designed for use as the principal sensor in Very Short Range Radar (VSHORAD) systems and can be deployed to supplement larger air defence systems or for counter-uncrewed aerial systems (C-UAS) operations.
Giraffe 1X operates as a small, 3D radar system suitable for mobile, deployable or fixed installations. It is designed for integration with both ground-based and naval platforms.
The radar detects various air threats including low, slow, and small targets.
Its multi-mission capability covers force protection, ground-based air defence, and sea surface surveillance.
Saab US head Erik Smith said: “Saab’s Giraffe 1X radars bring the US Army a combat-proven capability that can be rapidly deployed to meet the growing spectrum of global threats, including unmanned aerial systems.
“What sets Giraffe 1X apart is its ability to combine advanced counter-UAS performance, at extended ranges, within a compact, mobile design that commanders can trust in any environment. With continuous, real-time air surveillance, Giraffe 1X equips the US and its security co-operation partners with a decisive operational advantage, ensuring they can stay ahead of emerging challenges.”
In December 2024, Saab received a separate contract to deliver Giraffe 4A radar systems to the US Air Forces in Europe (USAFE). This contract is valued at about $48m.
The delivery schedule for those systems is set to begin in 2027.
