Saab Giraffe Radar Family (1X / 4A / 8A)

Saab Giraffe Radar Family (1X / 4A / 8A)

Type: sensor

Domain: land

Country of Origin: Sweden

Manufacturer: Saab AB

First Deployed: 2005

Overview

Family of mobile 3D surveillance radars providing air, ground, and naval surface surveillance for air defence, coastal defence, and ground-based air defence operations. The Giraffe family spans multiple variants optimized for different missions: Giraffe 1X is a compact lightweight radar for very short-range air defence detecting small UAVs and low-flying threats; Giraffe 4A is a medium-range radar for ground-based air defence batteries providing target acquisition and tracking for SAM systems (integrated with RBS 70, IRIS-T, and other SHORAD systems); Giraffe 8A is a long-range 3D AESA radar with detection range exceeding 450 km for fighter aircraft and ability to track hundreds of targets simultaneously. All variants feature AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Array) technology providing rapid beam steering, electronic countermeasures resistance, and multi-mission flexibility. Mounted on mobile platforms for rapid deployment and shoot-and-scoot tactics. The modular design enables upgrades as technology advances. Giraffe radars are exported to 15+ countries and serve with Swedish Armed Forces as the primary air surveillance sensors for ground-based air defence. Integrated with NATO air defence networks.

Technical Specifications

typeMulti-Role Ground-Based AESA Radar Family
usersNATO and partner nations across multiple variants
giraffe_1xCompact C-band; 75 km range; man-portable
giraffe_4aMedium C-band; 120+ km; vehicle-mounted
giraffe_8aS-band 3D; 200+ km; GaN AESA; BMD cueing capable
manufacturerSaab (Sweden)

Operators

Related land Weapon Systems