Australia deploys new Giraffe radars in Afghanistan
The Australian Department of Defence (DOD) has announced that two new Counter Rocket Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) Giraffe radars are now operational at the multinational base Tarin Kot in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan. Minister for Defence Materiel, Jason Clare, made the announcement on 28 September.
Australia’s C-RAM Sense and Warn capability consists of Giraffe radars, a number of lightweight counter mortar radars and Command and Control and warning equipment.
The new Giraffe radars have replaced leased radars and were manufactured in Sweden by SAAB as part of a $86.2 million contract, which includes support services. Australia assumed responsibility for early detection against rocket, artillery and mortar attacks at Tarin Kot from 28 December 2010.
‘The Giraffe radars provide our troops with early detection of attacks from enemy rockets, artillery and mortars, protecting Australian and ISAF forces, Clare explained. ‘This early warning system has been a proven force protection capability for our troops, giving them vital seconds of advanced warning so they can take shelter.’
A third Giraffe radar will be delivered to Australia in January 2013 and will be used as a training support system.
According to the DoD, the deployment of the new radars is the latest in a range of force protection initiatives that over the past few years has delivered $1billion in equipment to protect our troops in Afghanistan including, including the up-armouring of the force’s Bushmaster vehicles, new body combat armour and new ground penetrating radar trucks to clear roads of IEDs before troops travel on them.
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