The Republic of Singapore Air Force has selected the Swedish-made Saab Giraffe 1X radar to replace its existing Portable Search and Target Acquisition Radar (PSTAR). RSAF chief Maj. Gen. Kelvin Fan said the new radar is meant to strengthen low-level air defence, including better detection of small drones.
Saab says the Giraffe 1X is designed for short-range surveillance and can be deployed quickly due to its size and weight. Giraffe 1X has a detection range of about 75 km, compared with about 20 km for the older L-band PSTAR.
In Singapore’s set-up, the radar will work alongside the Saab RBS 70 NG short-range air defence missile system, which the RSAF already operates. The idea is that the radar provides early warning and tracking, while the missile system can engage targets once they are identified.
Fan said this marks the return of a fully motorised air defence capability for the Singapore Armed Forces, after the retirement of earlier vehicle-mounted RBS-70 and Igla systems.
