Latvia has strengthened its air-defense network with the arrival of Sweden’s Giraffe 1X air-surveillance radars, a modern sensor system designed to detect emerging airborne threats with greater speed and accuracy. The Latvian Armed Forces have already fielded the system, with the first operational use recorded during the Baltic Zenith 2023 drills. To expand its air-defense capabilities further, Latvia finalized an additional purchase of Giraffe 1X radars in December 2024.
Saab’s Giraffe 1X offers extended-range detection of missiles, drones, rockets, and mortar fire while providing precise targeting information to command-and-control platforms. Capable of tracking targets at distances up to 400 kilometers (248 miles), the radar gives Latvia a critical boost to its situational awareness and threat-monitoring capacity across the Baltic region.
One of the system’s key advantages is its lightweight 3D sensor, which weighs under 150 kilograms (330 pounds). The compact design allows rapid deployment and mounting on a variety of platforms, including military vehicles, ships, or permanent installations. The mobile configuration is optimized for quick-reaction missions, requiring only two personnel to deploy the radar in less than 10 minutes and dismantle it in under five.
The radar’s ease of transport further enhances its operational value. Compatible with C-130, A400M, and C-17 transport aircraft, and with support for standard container-handling systems, the Giraffe 1X gives Latvia a flexible, high-mobility air-surveillance tool suited for national defense, NATO cooperation, and dynamic regional security tasks.
