The Swedish defense company Saab has developed an anti-aircraft system to counter drones in record 84 days, the company reported on its website.

The project was carried out in collaboration with the Swedish Air Force and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) as part of the Loke concept.

The system is mobile, modular, and equipped with adaptable components to meet the Swedish Air Force’s operational requirements.

It consists of a combined combat system that integrates radar, optical detection equipment, and weaponry onto an SUV platform.

One vehicle—typically a pickup truck or another SUV with a suitable body—houses the Trackfire remotely controlled weapon station, which is armed with a 12.7 mm machine gun and a 7.62 mm machine gun.

A second vehicle is dedicated to the Giraffe 1X rotating radar, which detects aerial targets and transmits their coordinates to the combat module on the first vehicle.

“Since this wasn’t a typical product development cycle spanning several years, we had to think outside the box and take an innovative approach to overcome this challenge. By cleverly repurposing existing products and integrating new features and technologies, brought the concept together at record speed,” Carl-Johan Bergholm, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s business area Surveillance, shared.

From the outset, personnel from the Norrbotten Air Wing (F 21) were involved in the project to ensure the system meets operational requirements.

Full integration into combat units is scheduled for late 2025, after which the Loke will become a key component of the Swedish Air Force’s efforts to counter the growing threat posed by drones and UAVs.

Saab is shifting its focus from missile-based systems to more cost-effective cannon and machine gun-based solutions, aiming to provide the armed forces with an affordable and scalable drone interception capability.

Militarnyi previously reported that the Swedish government purchased RBS 70 and Tridon air defense systems for Ukraine in a $113 million deal.

The Tridon Mk.2, developed by BAE Systems AB (the Swedish subsidiary of the UK’s BAE Systems), was unveiled in June 2024. It features a 40 mm Bofors 40 Mk.4 autocannon with a 100-round feed system mounted on a Scania 6×6 truck chassis for rapid deployment via public roads.