Saab took part in a live counter-UAS demonstration at Tofta Firing Range on the Swedish island of Gotland, showcasing its modular air defense technologies during an event hosted by the Swedish Armed Forces and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration.
The event, attended by defence officials and stakeholders, focused on the growing challenge posed by small, fast-moving drones and how rapidly deployable systems can address emerging threats. The demonstration was primarily conducted by Swedish conscripts and featured operational scenarios replicating real-world drone threats.
The showcased counter-UAS system, referred to as “Gute” by the Swedish Armed Forces, is designed to detect, track, classify and engage aerial targets. The core components of the system included Saab’s Giraffe 1X radar, a short-range air defence (SHORAD) command and control system and kinetic effectors such as the Trackfire ARES remote weapon station and the BAE Systems Tridon Mk2.
These elements were integrated into a mobile platform. The Giraffe 1X radar, mounted on a Sisu GPT 4×4 vehicle, provided early detection and tracking capabilities. Its drone detection software flagged potential threats, which were then processed through the command and control system before being engaged by weapon stations. The Tridon Mk2, mounted on a Scania flatbed truck, served as a stationary firing unit for higher-calibre responses.
The demonstration emphasized the system’s mobility and modularity, highlighting its ability to be rapidly deployed and adapted to different operational needs. According to Saab, the system uses military off-the-shelf components, which allows for quicker field deployment and system integration.
The event also comes amid increasing concerns over drone proliferation and recent examples of low-cost UAS being used in long-range strikes, particularly in Ukraine. These developments have prompted armed forces worldwide to seek more flexible and responsive countermeasures.
While Saab issued a statement highlighting its commitment to developing adaptable counter-UAS solutions, the demonstration itself focused on proving the interoperability of existing technologies and their ability to form a cohesive defense system in a field environment.
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Post Image – Giraffe 1X radar (Post Image Credit: Saab)
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