IRIA News

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The Danish Ministry of Defense Acquisition and Logistics Organization (DALO) placed a permanent order for several Giraffe 1X radar systems from Swedish defense company Saab following their successful deployment during major security operations in Denmark.

The order comes after the Danish Armed Forces used the radar systems ahead of European Union leaders’ security summits held in Copenhagen in October 2025. The systems were initially deployed to monitor both civilian and military infrastructure and provide enhanced airspace surveillance during the high-profile events.

According to Saab, the Giraffe 1X systems operated successfully for more than six months before Danish authorities decided to purchase them permanently. Denmark had also rented additional radar units during the summit period, and those systems have now been added to the country’s inventory.

Rapid Response for Critical Security Operations

Saab said it delivered the first radar systems only three days after receiving the initial request from DALO, allowing Danish authorities to quickly strengthen security preparations before the international summits.

“We delivered the systems just three days after receiving the initial request from DALO. The swift response was made possible not only by our own organizational capacity but also by the exceptional efficiency and cooperation shown by Swedish and Danish authorities,” said Carl-Johan Bergholm, Head of Saab’s Surveillance business area.

“I want to emphasize DALO’s solution-oriented approach, which significantly saved time and enabled our systems to commence air surveillance with drone detection in record time,” he added.

The rapid deployment highlighted close cooperation between Danish and Swedish authorities as well as industry and military partners involved in securing the summit venues.

NATO Countries Supported Summit Security

Security operations surrounding the Copenhagen summits involved military units and defense industry partners from several NATO countries.

Among them were members of the Swedish Armed Forces, who deployed Saab’s anti-drone capabilities incorporating the Giraffe 1X radar. The systems played a role in monitoring airspace and detecting potential aerial threats during the gatherings of European leaders.

The summits required heightened security measures due to the presence of heads of state and senior government officials from across Europe. Protecting key infrastructure and maintaining continuous air surveillance were central components of the security effort.

The successful performance of the radar systems during these operations contributed to Denmark’s decision to move from temporary deployment and leasing arrangements to a permanent acquisition.

Flexible Radar Designed for Rapid Deployment

The Giraffe 1X is a compact three-dimensional radar system designed for air surveillance and counter-drone missions in the ground-based air defence domain (GBAD). The radar system can be used as either a mobile, deployable, or fixed asset for short-range surveillance and GBAD.

During its deployment in Denmark, the radar operated in Saab’s self-sufficient Compact Radar Module (CRM) configuration. The design allows the system to function effectively in locations where operational infrastructure may be limited or unavailable.

One of the radar’s key advantages is its mobility. The Compact Radar Module can be transferred between different platforms with minimal preparation. Saab noted that the radar can be moved from a pickup truck flatbed to a building or another vehicle, giving operators flexibility in how and where it is deployed.

This capability makes the system particularly useful for urgent missions, temporary security operations, and rapidly changing threat environments.

The radar’s modular design also reduces deployment time, allowing military and security personnel to establish surveillance coverage quickly when required.

Key Capabilities of Giraffe 1X

• Compact, lightweight, high-performing 3D radar
• Fixed, mobile or deployable with small footprint
• Easily integrated into any type of platform
• Superior 360° detection
• Multi-mission with multipurpose
• Small target capability

Advanced Detection and Counter-Drone Capabilities

The Giraffe 1X is designed to detect, track, and classify a wide range of airborne threats. According to Saab, the radar scans its entire search area every second, providing operators with continuous situational awareness.

The system is capable of detecting fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, fast-moving missiles, and rocket, artillery, and mortar (RAM) threats. It is also optimized to identify small unmanned aerial vehicles, including drones operating in complex and cluttered environments.

The growing use of drones in both military and civilian settings has increased demand for radar systems capable of identifying small and difficult-to-detect targets. Counter-drone technologies have become an increasingly important component of national security and infrastructure protection across Europe and NATO.

The radar’s ability to distinguish between different types of aerial objects allows operators to assess threats more effectively and respond quickly when necessary.

Strengthening Denmark’s Air Surveillance Capabilities

The permanent acquisition of the Giraffe 1X systems reflects Denmark’s effort to strengthen its air surveillance and infrastructure protection capabilities amid an evolving security environment.

The successful deployment during the Copenhagen summits demonstrated the radar’s ability to provide rapid and reliable monitoring of both civilian and military sites. The purchase also highlights the increasing importance of flexible and mobile surveillance systems capable of addressing modern aerial threats, particularly the growing use of drones.

For Saab, the order represents another example of expanding defense cooperation between Nordic countries and NATO partners. The company, headquartered in Sweden, is one of Europe’s leading defense and security firms and provides advanced systems in areas including sensors, surveillance, command and control, aeronautics, weapons, and underwater technologies.

With the newly acquired systems now becoming part of Denmark’s permanent defense inventory, the Danish Armed Forces will retain enhanced capabilities for airspace monitoring, counter-drone operations, and the protection of critical infrastructure during future security missions and major international events.