Latvia has enhanced its national air defense infrastructure with the delivery of Sweden’s Giraffe 1X radars, a modern 3D surveillance system designed to track and classify airborne threats with remarkable precision and speed. Already employed during the Baltic Zenith 2023 exercises, the system proved its value in real-world military operations, prompting Latvia to sign a follow-on order in December 2024 for additional units. The radar’s extended detection range of up to 400 kilometers enables early warning against drones, cruise missiles, rockets, and mortar rounds. Its key advantage lies in its compact size—under 150 kilograms—making it one of the most mobile radar systems in its class. It can be mounted on ground vehicles, naval vessels, or static installations and can be deployed by a two-person team within minutes. This rapid mobility allows Latvian forces to reposition sensors in response to shifting threats. The Giraffe 1X also boasts excellent interoperability. It can be transported via C-130, A400M, or C-17 strategic airlifters and integrates smoothly into command-and-control frameworks to provide timely, high-fidelity targeting data. With these radars in place, Latvia significantly improves its defensive resilience, situational awareness, and readiness to counter evolving airborne challenges.
