Saab and Scania France have finalised an agreement with the French Directorate General of Armaments (direction générale de l’Armement) to provide 17 Giraffe 1X radars to the French Armed Forces.
Under the terms of the contract, the joint consortium formed by Saab and Scania France will also deliver a dedicated solution for integrating the radar systems with Scania’s tactical vehicles.
Of the total units, one radar will undergo test and evaluation procedures, while the remaining 16 will be installed on the Scania V3P chassis, a tactical vehicle developed at Scania France’s SPAD division in Angers.
The agreement also covers the supply of spare parts, training and continued support services to ensure operational capability.
Delivery of these radars is scheduled to take place between 2026 and 2027 according to the plan set out in the contract.
Saab Surveillance business area head Carl-Johan Bergholm said: “We are proud to work together with Scania France on this important contract, with the aim of modernising the short and very short-range air defence capabilities for the French Armed Forces”.
The Giraffe 1X is a ground-based 3D air defence radar developed for short-range surveillance. Its system offers tracking suitable for engagement, detection of drones and provides both counter-rocket, artillery and mortar warning functionalities in a unified platform.
The radar’s application extends to counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS), facility and site protection, as well as potential use in naval settings on various vessels.
This radar model utilises software-based technology, facilitating ongoing upgrades to adapt to evolving threats.
Saab first introduced the Giraffe 1X and its maritime counterpart Sea Giraffe 1X in May 2014. The system is currently in operation with several customers internationally.
In October last year, the US Army ordered Giraffe 1X radar systems from Saab, in a deal valued at approximately $46m, as part of its support for security cooperation partners.
