The ministry described the Giraffe radar family as reliable “eyes” for Ukraine’s air defence. It said the systems make a significant contribution to protecting Ukrainian airspace, which remains a key priority of the national defence strategy.
The Ministry of Defence expressed gratitude to Sweden for supporting Ukraine’s defence capabilities, particularly in air defence. The article outlined the main features of the Giraffe radar system and the advantages it provides to the Defence Forces of Ukraine.
Developed by Sweden’s Saab, or Svenska Aeroplan Aktiebolaget, the Giraffe system combines radar surveillance with integrated command, control and communications capabilities. This allows rapid threat detection and supports effective coordination of responses.
The Saab radar family includes the Giraffe PS-90, PS-100, Giraffe 1X, Giraffe AMB and Giraffe Mk IV. Depending on the variant, the systems provide 360-degree airspace surveillance and can detect aerial targets at ranges of up to 100 kilometres and altitudes of up to 20 kilometres.
The radars can detect a wide range of targets, including supersonic fighter aircraft, cruise missiles, helicopters and small, slow-moving, low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicles. The ministry said this range of detection capabilities makes the systems relevant to current air defence requirements.
Depending on the version, Giraffe radars can be deployed on fixed sites, trucks, tracked vehicles and pickup trucks. This enables the creation of a flexible radar reconnaissance network across different operational settings.
The system can simultaneously monitor airspace, detect targets for air defence systems and carry out C-RAM detection and warning missions. Its target update time of one second provides an up-to-date real-time picture of the air situation.
The Giraffe radar system is also highly mobile. The ministry said it can be deployed in less than 10 minutes and displaced in under five minutes.
The system supports integration through standard or specialised data transmission channels. This provides compatibility with various short- and medium-range air defence systems.
The ministry said Giraffe radars can operate effectively in environments with high levels of interference. This supports the protection of critical facilities and personnel in contested electromagnetic conditions.
The system can also be equipped with surface target detection capabilities for maritime environments. In addition, specialised counter-UAV functions can be added to support defence against unmanned aerial threats.
The ministry said the mobility, rapid deployment and interference-resistant operation of Swedish Giraffe radars have strengthened Ukraine’s ability to detect and track aerial threats. These features support the Defence Forces of Ukraine as they build a more flexible and responsive air defence network.
Ukraine and Sweden are also preparing to sign contracts for the delivery of Saab JAS 39 Gripen aircraft. The Ministry of Defence has previously explained why Gripen fighters are considered a priority for Ukraine.
