Saab to deliver Sea Giraffe radars for Philippine Navy frigates

Defense technology company Saab says it has been awarded a contract to deliver its Sea Giraffe AMB naval radar system to the Philippine Navy.

The radars, in addition to the company’s 9LV for radar control and display for enhanced situational awareness, will be installed on two Philippine Navy frigates: BRP Gregorio del Pilar (FF-15) and BRP Ramon Alcaraz (FF-16).

The systems are being delivered through a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) deal between the US and the Philippines.

BRP Gregorio del Pilar and BRP Ramon Alcaraz are former US Coast Guard Hamilton-class cutters, transferred to the Philippines in 2011 and 2013, respectively. A third Hamilton-class cutter, former USCGC Boutwell, was transferred to the Philippines in 2016 and was christened by the Philippine Navy as BRP Andres Bonifacio.

“With Sea Giraffe AMB currently part of three separate US Navy programs, this contract further strengthens Saab’s position as a trusted supplier for the US Navy. We are proud that our world-class naval radar meets the USN’s standards and needs,” said Anders Carp, Head of Saab business area Surveillance.

Saab is currently delivering its Sea Giraffe AMB to five classes of US Navy surface ships as a part of three separate US Navy programs.

To date, Sea Giraffe has been installed on six littoral combat ships, LCS 2 through LCS 12. Additional systems are in various stages of manufacturing and testing to meet LCS construction schedules.

In October 2017, the US Navy announced it will deploy Sea Giraffe AMB on the US Coast Guard’s newest class of ship, the Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC). Additionally, Saab is developing a derivative of Sea Giraffe AMB, known as AN/SPN-50, to meet the US Naval Air Systems Command’s air traffic control requirements on aircraft carrier and amphibious assault class ships.