The British subsidiary of the Swedish company Saab has opened a new radar manufacturing plant in the UK.

Saab UK announced this in a press release.

The new production complex consists of three buildings and was opened in Fareham, Hampshire, in the south of the United Kingdom.

The new production site will be used to develop and manufacture Saab’s radars. In particular, we are talking about the Giraffe 1X multi-purpose 3D radar. The new facility will also produce Seaeye SR20 remotely operated underwater vehicles.

In addition, the facility will support radars already in service with the UK Armed Forces: the Giraffe 1X and Giraffe AMB air defense radars and the TAIPAN (Arthur) counter-battery radar.

The new plant will provide up to 400 jobs and create opportunities for on-the-job training for young people, which will improve the future training of young professionals.

“This new campus is testament to Saab’s growth in the UK, reinforcing our long-term commitment to the UK’s defence. Thanks to our investment here we will deliver innovative technologies and products for our customers. We are pleased to have the Secretary of State for Business and Trade join us today to mark this important occasion and to underline the important relationship between Saab and the UK,” stated Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab.

In May 2023, the UK Ministry of Defense ordered 11 Giraffe 1X radars from Swedish defense company Saab.

Giraffe 1X is a lightweight, multi-purpose surveillance radar. It can be an airborne surveillance component for air defense and can also serve as a counter-battery radar.

These radars are used, among other things, in Sky Sabre air defense systems, which began entering service in the UK in 2021.

10 radars will work in the interests of land units, and one Giraffe 1X will be installed on the Royal Navy’s experimental ship XV Patrick Blackett. This ship is designed to test the latest technologies and autonomous systems.

The total value of the order is SEK 264 million (over $23 million).