Sweden has supplied Latvia with the latest Giraffe 1X air-surveillance radars, giving the Baltic nation a stronger capability to detect and track a wide range of airborne threats. The advanced Saab-built radar has already been introduced into the Latvian Armed Forces, with the air force first integrating the system during the Baltic Zenith 2023 air-defense exercises. Latvia reinforced its commitment to the platform by signing an additional procurement contract in December 2024.
The Giraffe 1X is engineered to identify incoming missiles, hostile drones, rockets, and mortar rounds at extended ranges while seamlessly sharing high-precision targeting data with national command-and-control systems. With a proven ability to detect targets as far as 400 kilometers (248 miles), the radar significantly boosts Latvia’s early-warning and air-defense posture.
Despite its high performance, the 3D radar remains exceptionally lightweight at under 150 kilograms (330 pounds), allowing rapid movement and deployment. Its compact architecture enables installation on vehicles, naval vessels, or fixed sites, depending on mission needs. The self-contained mobile version can be fully set up by just two operators in under 10 minutes and packed down in less than five, supporting swift repositioning during operations.
Engineered for global mobility, the Giraffe 1X can be transported aboard C-130, A400M, and C-17 aircraft. It is also compatible with standard container-handling systems, giving Latvia flexible deployment options for national defense, NATO missions, and regional security operations.
