Giraffe Agile Multi Beam Radar

Quick Facts

Role and Mobility	Air/Surface Surveillance and Tracking, Early Warning, and Target Identification; Road- and Ship-Mobile
Frequency	C-Band
Range	470 km
Air Defense Interceptor Systems	RBS 70 and Sky Sabre
Targets	Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar Rounds
Status/Exports	Operational; Algeria, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Croatia, Estonia, Finland, France, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Greece, Malaysia, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Sweden, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United States, and Venezuela
Producer	Saab Bofors Dynamics

Overview

The Giraffe Agile Multi Beam (AMB) is a true three-dimensional search radar, designed to specifically operate with short- and medium-range surface to air missile systems.[i] It combines its surveillance radar with its Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (C3) functionality to provide forces with a swift understanding of the air situation, enabling immediate and effective responses to changing threats, new tactics, and shifting operational conditions. As a ‘true’ 3D search radar, the Giraffe AMB is able to cover the entire search volume every second.[ii] The system can monitor for air targets and simultaneously locate and warn against incoming rocket, artillery, and mortar rounds. It can also provide countries with coastal surveillance.[iii]

Strategic Implications

The Giraffe radar is strategically invaluable because it is designed to detect low-altitude, low cross section aircraft in conditions of severe clutter and electronic countermeasures. This means that it can succeed in combat environments and its chances of being countered are slimmer.[iv] Another asset that the Giraffe radar offers countries, is its ability to rapidly report and process real-time information to protect against threats from the air. As stated above the Giraffe radar has the unique ability to cover the entire search volume every second and simultaneously locate and warn operators against incoming rocket, artillery, and mortar rounds.[v] This capability would be invaluable in places like Israel and Gaza where the launching of rocket, artillery, and mortar rounds are common.