The watchful eyes of Ukraine’s air defence: An overview of the Swedish Giraffe radar system

As Ukraine continues to confront the enemy’s sustained aerial terror, both effective interception capabilities and the ability to detect hostile targets in a timely manner remain critically important.

Among the radar systems that have strengthened the arsenal of the Defence Forces of Ukraine, the Swedish Giraffe radar family is particularly notable. They have proven to be the reliable eyes of Ukraine’s air defence and make a significant contribution to protecting Ukraine’s skies, a key priority of the national defence strategy.

The Ministry of Defence expresses its gratitude to Sweden for supporting Ukraine’s defence capabilities, particularly its air defence.

This article outlines the key features of the Giraffe radar system and the advantages it provides.

Technical specifications of the Giraffe radar system

Developed by the Swedish company Saab (Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget), the Giraffe radar system combines radar surveillance capabilities with an integrated command, control, and communications (C3) system, enabling quick threat detection and effective response coordination.

The Saab radar family—including the Giraffe PS-90, PS-100, Giraffe 1X, Giraffe AMB, and Giraffe Mk IV—provides 360-degree airspace surveillance and can detect aerial targets at ranges of up to 100 km and altitudes of up to 20 km, depending on the radar variant. They can detect a broad spectrum of targets, from supersonic fighter aircraft, cruise missiles and helicopters to small, slow-moving, low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

Depending on the variant, the radar system can be deployed across different platforms, including fixed sites, trucks, tracked vehicles and pickup trucks, enabling the development of a flexible radar reconnaissance network.

Giraffe’s advantages: A modern, highly mobile radar system

The system is capable of simultaneously monitoring airspace, detecting targets for air defence systems, and carrying out C-RAM detection and warning missions.

The radar features a high data refresh rate, with a target update time of just one second. This provides an up-to-date real-time picture of the air situation.

The system is highly mobile, with a deployment time of less than 10 minutes and a displacement time of under 5 minutes.

The Giraffe radar system supports integration through standard or specialised data transmission channels, ensuring compatibility with various short- and medium-range air defence systems.

The system’s ability to operate in environments with high levels of interference enables the effective protection of critical facilities and personnel. In addition, the system can be equipped with surface target detection capabilities for maritime environments, as well as specialised counter-UAV functions.

Thanks to their mobility, rapid deployment capability and ability to operate in contested electromagnetic environments, Swedish Giraffe radars have strengthened the Defence Forces of Ukraine’s ability to detect and track aerial threats.