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Spanish Navy’s F-110 Frigates to Receive Saab’s Naval Laser Warning System for Enhanced Threat Detection and Survivability.
On May 13, 2025, at the FEINDEF 2025 defense exhibition in Madrid, Swedish defense company Saab presented its Naval Laser Warning System (NLWS), confirming its integration into the future F110 frigates of the Spanish Navy. This initiative marks a turning point in naval self-protection, positioning the NLWS as a pioneering system in the field of laser threat detection and categorization within the broader domain of naval electronic warfare. As modern threats evolve, particularly with the increasing proliferation of low-cost laser-guided munitions among irregular forces and non-state actors, the Spanish Navy is becoming the first national naval force to integrate a system specifically designed to counter such emerging challenges.
By equipping the Spanish Navy’s F110-class frigates with its Naval Laser Warning System, Saab has established in a new era of maritime protection against the emerging threat of laser-guided weapons (Picture Source: SAAB)
Saab’s Naval Laser Warning System (NLWS) is a high-performance electronic warfare suite designed to detect, identify, and respond to laser-based threats. It includes multiple lateral sensors, ten in the case of the F110-class frigates, alongside a vertical sensor, ensuring complete hemispherical coverage. Each lateral sensor provides 112° azimuth and 80° elevation coverage, with a detection time typically under half a millisecond. The system can be installed as a stand-alone unit or fully integrated into a ship’s Combat Management System (CMS), Electronic Support Measures (ESM), and countermeasure deployment systems. The sensors operate across a wide wavelength spectrum, offering high sensitivity while maintaining a remarkably low false alarm rate. These features, combined with its compact form factor and low power requirements, make NLWS particularly suited for modern combat vessels that require high situational awareness without compromising onboard resources.
The development of NLWS is rooted in Saab’s extensive experience in naval electronic warfare. The system has already undergone competitive sea trials on two separate occasions, outperforming rival solutions and ultimately being selected for operational use by eight NATO navies, including Spain. The Spanish contract, signed in April 2024, is valued at EUR 3.5 million and will initially equip five planned F110-class frigates currently under construction by Navantia in Ferrol, as previously reported by Army Recognition. Saab is expected to deliver the first complete shipset in 2026. The inclusion of Spain in the list of operators demonstrates not only trust in Saab’s capabilities but also reflects growing recognition of laser threats in current and future naval theaters.
Compared to traditional threat detection systems based on radar or thermal imaging, the NLWS offers an essential layer of pre-emptive detection. Radar-based systems only register a threat once a missile is in flight, often leaving insufficient time for evasive or countermeasure deployment. By contrast, the NLWS can detect the precursor signals, such as laser rangefinding or designation, before a projectile is launched. This capability is particularly relevant in regions such as the Baltic Sea, North Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, and the Gulf of Aden, where coastal militias or irregular forces, like the Yemeni Houthis, increasingly deploy low-cost laser-guided systems. The closest historical analogue may be the integration of radar warning receivers during the Cold War to preempt radar-guided attacks; however, the NLWS addresses a newer and often more covert class of threat.
Strategically, the integration of NLWS into the Spanish Navy's F110 frigates signals a shift in naval doctrine, emphasizing resilience against asymmetric threats and the growing importance of electronic support measures (ESM) in maritime operations. Beyond defense, it demonstrates the consolidation of Europe’s own defense industrial capabilities, as Saab, a major Swedish defense actor, is contributing critical technology to a Spanish program. The move aligns with broader NATO priorities of force protection and the enhancement of naval situational awareness in contested maritime environments. Given the rapid proliferation of commercial off-the-shelf laser systems with military applications, the introduction of such detection tools is also likely to influence future ship design standards across Europe.
From a budgetary standpoint, the initial EUR 3.5 million contract covers the delivery of the NLWS shipsets for five frigates. This sum appears modest in relation to the overall cost of a frigate-class vessel but delivers disproportionate value in terms of survivability and early warning capabilities. The contract also suggests that future upgrades or retrofits of existing Spanish vessels might follow if operational use proves effective. With eight NATO navies already onboard and more likely to follow, Saab’s NLWS has positioned itself as a standard-bearer in a niche but rapidly growing segment of naval defense technology.
By equipping the Spanish Navy’s F110-class frigates with its Naval Laser Warning System, Saab has established in a new era of maritime protection against the emerging threat of laser-guided weapons. Compact, integrable, and operationally validated across NATO, the NLWS represents a critical evolution in naval electronic warfare, offering detection capabilities before traditional systems even register an attack. Spain’s adoption of this system reflects both the changing nature of naval threats and the strategic necessity of equipping modern warships with anticipatory defense technologies. As irregular and hybrid threats continue to proliferate in global maritime theaters, systems like the NLWS may soon become a non-negotiable standard for modern navies seeking to maintain a tactical edge in the face of increasingly covert and technologically advanced adversaries.