Latvia Receives Swedish Giraffe 1X Radars for Airspace Control

Latvia has received new Giraffe 1X air-surveillance radars.

The Latvian Ministry of Defence reported the delivery.

The official transfer of the radars, purchased from the Swedish company Saab, to the Latvian Air Force took place on December 3 at the Lielvārde base.

“The additional Giraffe 1X radars we received today significantly enhance our ability to detect and prevent airspace threats in a timely manner. They are modern, reliable, and have already proven their effectiveness during joint exercises involving Latvia and its allies,” Minister of Defence Andris Sprūds emphasized.

The Ministry of Defence noted that the Giraffe 1X radars are already in service with Latvia and were first used by the country’s Air Force during the Baltic Zenith 2023 exercises.

The contract for the purchase of these additional radar stations was signed in December 2024, with delivery roughly one year after the agreement was concluded.

The Giraffe 1X is a multi-purpose surveillance radar that can serve as a component of an air-monitoring system for air-defence needs. It provides the military with information on aerial targets, detects drones, and is capable of performing counter-battery radar functions. The systems are mobile and can be deployed on any terrain as needed.