PARIS — May 18, 2026 : Saab and Scania France have signed a contract with France’s Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) for the supply of Giraffe 1X radar systems integrated onto Scania tactical vehicles for the French Armed Forces, marking a new step in the modernization of France’s short-range and very short-range air defense capabilities.
The agreement covers the procurement of 17 Giraffe 1X radar systems. Under the contract, 16 radar units will be operationally deployed on Scania V3P tactical vehicle chassis, while one additional radar will be delivered for testing and technical evaluation by the French military.
The contract also includes spare parts, operational support, maintenance assistance, and training services for military personnel. Deliveries of the radar systems and integrated vehicles are scheduled between 2026 and 2027.
To fulfill the program requirements, Saab and Scania France have established a joint consortium that will remain active throughout the duration of the contract. Vehicle integration activities will be carried out in France by Scania Public and Defense (SPAD), the defense division of Scania France located in Angers.
Modernization of French Air Defense
The acquisition is intended to strengthen the French Armed Forces’ ability to counter modern aerial threats, particularly low, slow, and small (LSS) targets such as tactical unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and First-Person View (FPV) drones.
The program forms part of France’s broader effort to modernize its ground-based short-range and very short-range air defense network by replacing older radar vehicles that have reportedly remained in service for nearly 30 years.
Within French military service, the integrated systems are designated as VARDA, short for Véhicule d’Acquisition Radar de Défense Aérienne.
Carl-Johan Bergholm, head of Saab’s business area Surveillance, stated that the partnership with Scania France is aimed at modernizing French short and very short-range air defense capabilities through mobile radar integration.
Giraffe 1X Radar Capabilities
The Giraffe 1X is a compact Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) 3D radar operating in the X-band frequency range. The radar is designed for both mobile and fixed-site deployment and provides continuous 360-degree surveillance with a complete search volume update every second.
According to Saab, the radar has an instrumented detection range of up to approximately 75 kilometers for air targets. The system is capable of simultaneously tracking more than 100 airborne targets and over 200 surface targets.
The radar is specifically optimized to detect low-signature aerial threats, including small unmanned systems. Saab states that the system can identify a UAV as small as a milk carton at ranges of up to 4 kilometers.
In addition to conventional air surveillance missions, the Giraffe 1X supports multiple operational roles, including:
- Ground-based air defense
- Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS)
- Counter-Artillery, Rocket, and Mortar (C-RAM) sense-and-warn operations
- Protection of military bases, buildings, and critical infrastructure
The system uses a software-based architecture that allows remote upgrades and continuous capability improvements to address evolving operational threats without major hardware modifications.
Lightweight Design for Mobile Operations
Saab stated that the complete Giraffe 1X system weighs less than 300 kilograms, while the radar topside itself weighs under 150 kilograms. The lightweight design allows integration onto compact tactical vehicles while maintaining operational mobility.
For the French Armed Forces, the radar will be mounted on the Scania V3P tactical chassis, a military vehicle platform developed specifically for defense applications.
The engineering and final integration work will be performed by SPAD in Angers, ensuring the systems meet French Army mobility, deployment, and operational requirements across different terrains and mission environments.
Broader France–Sweden Defense Cooperation
The radar contract also reflects expanding defense cooperation between France and Sweden. The agreement follows a separate defense procurement signed in December 2025 between the DGA and Saab for the acquisition of two GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft for the French Armed Forces.
The Giraffe 1X radar is currently in service or under contract with multiple international operators, including the Swedish Armed Forces and the U.S. Army. Saab states that the radar can be deployed on both land and maritime platforms depending on operational requirements.
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