Saab Multi-Mission Radar to protect Australian troops in Afghanistan

Defence and security company Saab has signed a contract with the Australian Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) for provision of the GIRAFFE AMB multi-mission radar system and related services. The order is worth approximately AUD 32 million.

“We are extremely proud to have been selected by the Australian Defence Force to meet their exacting requirements for an advanced, operationally proven and off-the-shelf radar system. This further underscores Saab’s strength as a radar supplier and the capability of our Giraffe system”, says Micael Johansson, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s business area Electronic Defence Systems.

Micael Johansson went on to say, “Saab fully understands the importance of this project. We are committed to working closely and in partnership with the DMO to realise the Australian Government’s recent significant commitment to enhance force protection capabilities for the ADF engaged in operations in Afghanistan.”

Giraffe AMB is a flexible multi-mission series of modular surveillance systems. Fully fitted, the system include capabilities for simultaneous air defence, air and sea surveillance, air/land integration, military air traffic control and rocket, artillery and mortar alert as well as weapon location. The system is part of Saab’s continuously evolving radar program and provides unmatched performance for critical targets and proven reliability. Giraffe has become the radar of choice for armed forces worldwide, whether part of vital point protection or area air defence solutions. The Giraffe is in current production and in use with armed forces of Sweden, France, Estonia and the UK amongst others.

Saab’s naval surveillance radar Sea Giraffe is in operational service on the Australian and New Zealand Anzac Class frigates and is being supplied for the Australian Canberra class amphibious ships.

Saab serves the global market with world-leading products, services and solutions ranging from military defence to civil security. Saab has operations and employees on all continents and constantly develops, adopts and improves new technology to meet customers’ changing needs.

For further information, please contact:
Saab Press Centre, +46 (0)734 180 018
www.saabgroup.com

5 July2010
(updated 5 July 2010)

News From Saab

The purpose of this contract is to provide a fast tracked acquisition of a capability to detect incoming rockets, artillery and mortars in the vicinity of the Australian base at Tarin Kowt, Afghanistan. This will initiate a warning to personnel to take cover.

This contract involves the remanufacture an existing ARTE 740 2D radar which will be leased to the Australian Defence Force for a period of 15 months.
It will be delivered by Saab before the end of 2010 as announced by the Minister for Defence in May and will subsequently be transported to Afghanistan by the ADF.

A subsequent contract will be negotiated for the manufacture of new radars to take over from the leased radar in Afghanistan. One of these radars will be located at Woodside as a training and support system.

The work on this project will be undertaken by Saab’s Electronic Defence Systems factory located near Gothenburg in Sweden. The Head of Electronic Defence Systems business area is Micael Johansson. He is also a member of the Board of Saab Technologies Australia.

The actual contract value is SEK 190 million.