The Swedish Air Force’s new counter-drone concept, Loke, has been deployed for the first time in a live NATO mission. Developed collaboratively by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), the Swedish Air Force, and Saab, Loke has already become a key component of Sweden’s base-defense capabilities.
The system was operational during the Swedish Air Force’s participation in NATO activities at Malbork Air Base in Poland from April to September 2025. Units from the 21st Wing, followed by the 17th Wing, supported the defense of allied infrastructure, including a major logistics hub for military aid to Ukraine.
“Effective air operations require robust ground protection. The systems we deployed significantly strengthened base security, both for us and our allies,” said Lieutenant Colonel Christian Bertilsson, commander of the Swedish contingent in Poland.
Rapid Development
Introduced in February 2025, Loke integrates existing technologies into a modular system. It combines Saab’s Giraffe 1X mobile radar, a Trackfire Remote Weapon Station equipped with heavy and medium machine guns, and electronic warfare components. The system is capable of tracking both physical objects and electromagnetic signals, enabling early detection and multiple neutralization options.
“To counter emerging threats, an optimized sensor-to-shooter chain is crucial. We achieved what many thought impossible in record time, including the necessary education and training to support the mission,” said Angelica Persson, Counter-UAS Business Development Analyst at Saab.
“The fact that our jointly developed counter-drone systems now are operational in the field is clear proof of how effective collaboration between the Armed Forces and the defence industry can and should be.”
Next Steps
The Swedish Armed Forces and Saab are continuing development efforts, with the 21st Wing now training to operate Loke at the platoon level. Insights from recent exercises, including Baltic Trust 2025 in Latvia, are informing the next phase of integration. Full deployment across wartime units is expected by the end of 2025.
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Post Image Credit: Saab.
