Saab receives first major defence order from Spain
Saab Microwave Systems has signed a contract with the Spanish army for ARTHUR Weapon Locating radars, a training simulator and logistics. The order is worth 476 MNOK (59 MEUR). The order confirms Saab’s position as a world leader within weapon locating and is a breakthrough on the Spanish market.
”This is Saab´s first major deal with the Spanish Defence Authorities and a real milestone”, says Göran Hedborg, Saab Microwave Systems regional director for Southern Europe, and continues: ”This order from an EU and NATO country highlights the world leading position Saab has within weapon locating. Spain is a very competent customer who has chosen ARTHUR after a thorough evaluation of the entire system’s abilities, for example technical performance, user-friendliness, reliability and mobility.
The deal is entered with Saab Microwave Systems AS in Norway who will manage the project and deliver the systems to the Spanish army. The project will be run in close collaboration with Saab Microwave Systems in Sweden. There will also be participants from Spanish industry. Delivery starts at the end of 2007 and the last system is calculated to be delivered in June 2009.
ARTHUR is developed to locate hostile artillery. The radar has a total range of up to 40 km and is able to detect targets, the size of a two Euro coin. Within a few seconds the system informs of both launch positions and point of impact. ARTHUR constitutes dramatically improved protection for threatened forces and areas/buildings in different peace-keeping deployments.
Norway and Sweden have developed ARTHUR in collaboration. In addition to Norway and Sweden, the system has for example been purchased by Denmark, United Kingdom, Greece, and the Czech Republic. The system has also been leased to Canada, United Kingdom and Italy.
