Saab UK has completed its 100th Giraffe 1X radar system at its Fareham Campus, marking a significant production milestone for one of the UK’s most capable sovereign radar programmes – and simultaneously opening a new Integration & Verification (I&V) testing facility on the same site.
The twin announcements underscore Fareham’s growing importance as a centre of excellence for UK radar engineering, supporting around 400 skilled roles across radar and underwater robotics.
The Giraffe 1X in Context
The Giraffe 1X is a compact 3D Multi-Mission Radar with a broad operational mission set, spanning force protection, weapon-locating, ground-based air defence – including counter-UAS detection – and sea-surface surveillance. It can be deployed on the move, positioned as a fixed asset, or integrated onto land and naval platforms, giving operators significant flexibility across diverse and demanding environments.
The system is field-proven and operated worldwide, with production split between Sweden and the UK. The Fareham site also supports the Giraffe AMB and TAIPAN (Arthur) radar systems, making it a strategically important node in Saab’s international production network.
The 100th unit milestone is a meaningful indicator of the programme’s maturity and the sustained demand for the capability – including, notably, in the counter-UAS mission space, which is attracting sharply increased attention from defence procurement teams across NATO.
New I&V Facility Boosts Throughput and Quality
Alongside the production milestone, Saab UK has brought a new Integration & Verification testing facility online at Fareham. The facility provides dedicated infrastructure for system testing, software integration and customer acceptance, consolidating these functions in-house rather than relying on external or remote testing arrangements.
The practical benefits are meaningful: faster delivery timelines, tighter quality assurance, and enhanced in-house technical capability that keeps sensitive integration work within the UK. For a programme with both domestic and export customers, the ability to conduct customer acceptance testing on-site is also a commercial advantage.
Andy Fraser, Group Managing Director at Saab UK, described the achievements as demonstrating “the powerful combination of Swedish engineering and British manufacturing capability,” adding that the milestones reflect the strength of the Sensor Systems team at Fareham.
Looking Ahead
Saab UK has confirmed it will continue to develop capability at Fareham, with plans to strengthen production capacity, advance testing infrastructure and support future radar programmes for UK and international customers. With counter-drone and air defence radar demand rising across the UK and allied nations, the Fareham Campus is well-positioned to take on an expanding role in both domestic procurement and export programmes.
For the UK defence supply chain, the Saab UK operation in Fareham represents an anchor customer for a range of specialist components, integration services and engineering support – and one with a growing order book.
Post written by: Vicky Maggiani
Vicky has worked in media for over 25 years and has a wealth of experience in editing and creating copy for a variety of sectors.
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