News Review: Uruzgan diggers to get C-RAM | ADM Sep 2010

The DMO has signed a $32 million contract with Saab AB for the lease of a Giraffe radar system for urgent deployment to Afghanistan as foreshadowed in the July edition of ADM.

“The Giraffe Agile Multi Beam radar is one key component of Defence’s Counter Rocket Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) capability,” defence minister Senator John Faulkner, said.

“This lease contract will enable the most efficient and rapid delivery of the Giraffe radar system for operational use by ADF personnel currently deployed in Afghanistan.”

The procurement of this system was foreshadowed in Faulkner’s 1 June statement on enhanced Force Protection measures for the ADF.

“The Giraffe radar is a most capable system,” he added. “It provides early detection of attacks from enemy rockets, artillery and mortars.

“When this radar is networked with other equipment that we are procuring under the C-RAM project, friendly forces will benefit from the early warning against such attacks, improving force protection.”

The lease contract includes a full logistic support package. The lease is an interim measure while the DMO advances the acquisition of additional radar systems for progressive introduction into service.