Sweden boosts ground based air surveillance with new Giraffe 4A radar deal.

According to information published by the Saab Press Centre on June 17, 2025, Swedish defense and aerospace company Saab has signed a major contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) to deliver Giraffe 4A radar systems along with associated support services to the Swedish Armed Forces. Valued at approximately 128 m€ (SEK 1.4 billion), the deliveries under this agreement are scheduled to take place between 2026 and 2027. This contract significantly strengthens Sweden’s mid-range radar sensor capabilities and supports its broader sensor system modernization strategy by integrating mobile, software-upgradable systems designed for long-term operational relevance.
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 Operating in the S-band and incorporating the latest Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology, the radar can detect and track hundreds of aerial and surface targets over a range exceeding 300 kilometers (Picture source: Saab)

Saab is a leading Swedish defense and security company specializing in advanced technologies across air, land, and naval domains. Renowned for its innovative radar and sensor solutions, Saab plays a key role in strengthening national and allied defense capabilities worldwide.

The Giraffe 4A is a state-of-the-art ground-based radar designed to perform simultaneous air surveillance and military air traffic control. Operating in the S-band and incorporating the latest Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) technology, the radar can detect and track hundreds of aerial and surface targets over a range exceeding 300 kilometers. Its rotating AESA antenna offers 360-degree coverage with superior update rates, and the system is capable of detecting low observable threats such as drones, cruise missiles, and RAM (Rockets, Artillery, Mortar) projectiles. Designed for network-centric operations, the radar is also equipped with built-in electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) and automatic target classification features, supporting enhanced situational awareness and interoperability across NATO and allied forces.

In the context of a rapidly deteriorating global security environment, characterized by the resurgence of near-peer threats and increasing reliance on aerial strike capabilities, Sweden’s acquisition of the Giraffe 4A reinforces its airspace sovereignty and resilience. This radar system provides a significant force multiplier by enabling early warning and quick response to aerial incursions, hybrid attacks, and drone swarms. As more nations modernize their air defense infrastructures to deter aggression and safeguard national borders, the Giraffe 4A stands out as a critical component of integrated air and missile defense networks. Its adoption not only elevates Sweden’s defense posture within the Nordic and Baltic regions but also serves as a benchmark for other European countries seeking agile, future-proof surveillance capabilities.

This contract also reflects Sweden’s broader strategic shift toward greater self-reliance in defense manufacturing and operational readiness amid growing geopolitical instability, particularly in the Baltic Sea and Arctic regions. With NATO membership now confirmed, Sweden is accelerating investments in interoperable and sovereign capabilities to meet alliance requirements while ensuring national control over critical technologies. Saab, as a cornerstone of Sweden’s defense industry, continues to expand its international footprint through the Giraffe radar family, which has already been selected by several NATO and partner nations, reinforcing its status as a globally competitive supplier of next-generation surveillance systems.