Canadian Navy to upgrade Halifax-class frigates with Saab’s Sea Giraffe radar

Defence and security company Saab has signed a contract for multi-role Sea Giraffe AMB naval radars antenna kits, for the upgrade of the Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class frigates.

The upgrade is based on the customers’ requirement to sustain the service life and enhance the performance of the Halifax-class frigates. The work will be carried out in Halifax, Canada and Gothenburg, Sweden, starting from 2021 and continuing through 2026.

“This order has further strengthened our Sea Giraffe radar market position and continues the excellent partnership that Saab enjoys with the Royal Canadian Navy,” said Carl-Johan Bergholm, head of Saab’s Business Area Surveillance.

The contract also includes associated equipment and spare parts with an order value of over SEK 300 million ($32.8 million).

Sea Giraffe AMB is a multi-role 3D surveillance radar system for naval applications. It provides medium-range, simultaneous air and surface surveillance and has a weapon designation capability.

It can detect air and surface targets from the horizon up to a height of 20,000 metres at elevations up to 70°, and can simultaneously handle multiple threats approaching from different directions and altitudes, including diving anti-ship missiles.

Also, it is specialized for rapidly detecting small, fast-moving targets at all altitudes and small surface targets in severe clutter, according to the company.

Sea Giraffe AMB is installed on the Republic of Singapore Navy’s upgraded Victory-class corvette and US Navy’s Independence-class littoral combat ships (LCS).