Australia receives final Giraffe system

Australia’s Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare announced on 30 January that the final of three Counter Rocket Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) Giraffe radars had been delivered to Australia.

Teh Australian Army already has two radar systems currently deployed in Tarin Kot, Afghanistan and this third system will be used to train troops ahead of their deployment to the country.

‘The Giraffe radars provide our troops with early detection of attacks from enemy rockets, artillery and mortars, protecting Australian and ISAF forces,’ stated Clare. ‘This early warning system has proven to be an important force protection capability for our troops, giving them vital seconds of advanced warning so they can take shelter. The addition of a third Giraffe radar to train our soldiers before they deploy means they will be trained to use the full range of the radar’s capabilities from the time they hit the ground.’

 Australia assumed responsibility for early detection against rocket, artillery and mortar attacks at Tarin Kot from 28 December 2010. The new Giraffe radars have replaced leased radars and were manufactured in Sweden by Saab under an A$86.2 million contract, which includes support services.

According to the Australian Department of Defence the new radars are the latest in a range of force protection initiatives that over the past few years has delivered A$1 billion in equipment to protect troops in Afghanistan including: up-armouring the Bushmaster patrol vehicle; new combat body armour; heavier calibre support weapons; and new ground-penetrating radar trucks to clear roads of IEDs before troops travel on them.