Company / Counter-UAS
Saab
Swedish defence and security group whose counter-UAS portfolio includes the Loke system, the Giraffe 1X radar and the Nimbrix interceptor missile.
Stockholm, SwedenCounter-UAS systems
About the company
About Saab
Saab AB is a Swedish defence and security company headquartered in Stockholm, with much of its development and production in Linköping. Founded in 1937 as an aircraft manufacturer, it today supplies combat aircraft such as the Gripen, airborne surveillance, sensors, missiles, submarines and command and control systems.
Its counter-UAS solutions build on the compact Giraffe 1X 3D radar, which has been ordered by Sweden, France and the US Army. Loke is a modular, mobile counter-drone system covering the whole chain from detection and classification to engagement; it combines the Giraffe 1X with a Trackfire remote weapon station and electronic warfare components and was deployed by the Swedish Air Force during NATO operations in Poland in 2025. In the same year Saab unveiled Nimbrix, a low-cost fire-and-forget missile intended to close the gap between gun-based effectors and heavier air defence missiles such as the RBS 70 NG.
In unmanned aviation Saab developed the Skeldar V-200 rotary-wing UAS, used among others by the Spanish Navy from ships. It is marketed by UMS Skeldar, a company formed in 2015 by Saab and UMS Aero Group.
In the news20 stories
Early warning radar on the MQ-9B: Saab and General Atomics flight-test LoyalEye
Over Southern California, Saab’s LoyalEye early warning radar on board an MQ-9B detected, tracked and classified air targets. For Saab and GA-ASI, the flight test marks a further step towards unmanned early warning systems.
Underwater drone: Saab and Sweden put LUUV demonstrator in the water
Less than a year after the contract was awarded, a large underwater drone from Saab has successfully completed sea trials. The LUUV demonstrator concludes the first project phase; more advanced capabilities are to follow next.
Unmanned combat aircraft on the fast track: GKN Aerospace and Sweden test a new development path
At Malmen Air Base, GKN Aerospace showed the mock-up and turbojet of its UAV demonstrator for the first time. For Sweden, this is about more than an unmanned combat aircraft: faster processes, low-cost manufacturing and European supply chains.
MALE drones become multi-mission platforms: new capabilities for General Atomics' MQ-9B
From pure reconnaissance asset to multi-mission platform: at “DroneVation & Defence 2026”, General Atomics Europe showed how MALE drones are changing. Tests with a Saab radar and 70-millimetre rockets are under way on the MQ-9B.
MQ-9B with Loyal Eye: Saab and General Atomics fly unmanned early warning solution for the first time
First flight in Southern California: Saab's Loyal Eye radar sensor has taken off on an MQ-9B. A test campaign lasting several months now follows, which is to culminate in a comprehensive capability demonstration later in the year.
Counter-drone system for Sweden: FMV orders mobile C-UAS system from Saab
Sweden is investing around 2.6 billion Swedish kronor in a mobile, modular system against drones. Saab's counter-drone solution is to protect the armed forces and civilian infrastructure; deliveries are scheduled for 2027 to 2028.
EU drone wall: sensors, countermeasures and costs per 100 kilometres of border
How many sensors, jammers and radars does a brigade sector on the EU's eastern border need – and what do they cost? A paper from a border state calculates the drone wall of the European Drone Defence Initiative (EDDI) element by element.
Mine countermeasures from the air: Belgian Navy trains with Saab's Skeldar V-200 drone
The first training flights at Ursel are complete: Belgium is preparing Saab's Skeldar V-200 unmanned helicopter for mine countermeasures. Up to ten systems are to supplement the new mine countermeasures vessels.
AI fighter jet X-BAT: Shield AI unveils autonomous vertical take-off aircraft with Hivemind pilot
In Washington D.C., Shield AI has shown a mock-up of the X-BAT – an autonomous AI fighter jet that takes off and lands vertically. It is to be operational from 2027/28. What lies behind the concept and which questions remain open.
Marcus Wandt heads Saab's new group function for strategy and technology
From chief test pilot of the Gripen E via an ISS mission to the leadership level: Saab appoints Marcus Wandt as Senior Vice President to head the newly created “Group Strategy and Technology” function.
Counter-drone in Sweden: government provides more than 315 million euros for the armed forces
Sweden's government is bringing procurement forward by around eight years: more than 315 million euros are to expand the counter-drone capabilities of the Swedish Armed Forces. A further 135 million euros go into spare parts and equipment for the JAS 39 Gripen.
Counter-UAS at Saab: from Giraffe 1X to Nimbrix, Loke and RBS 70 NG
Cheap drones, expensive defences: Giraffe 1X, the Nimbrix missile and the Loke concept, realised in 84 days, show how Saab wants to make counter-UAS affordable. According to Per Järbur, there is no perfect system.
Saab names Johan Andersson as new Head of Investor Relations
People and appointments: Johan Andersson moves from Husqvarna Group to the Swedish defence group Saab, where he takes over investor relations from 15 September. His predecessor Merton Kaplan moves to the M&A team.
Underwater drone LUUV: Saab develops new sensor platform for Sweden
The FMV contract under which Saab will design, build and test a large underwater drone for Sweden is worth 60 million kronor. Sea trials begin in summer 2026; for now, the LUUV is not intended to carry weapons.
Counter-UAS: Saab unveils Nimbrix missile against small drones
With Nimbrix, Saab is introducing its first missile developed specifically for counter-UAS. It is meant to be low-cost, reach up to five kilometres and also engage swarms; the first units are to be delivered in 2026.
Military drones for early warning: Saab and General Atomics develop unmanned AWACS based on MQ-9B
Saab is adding an unmanned variant to its manned early warning systems such as Global Eye: together with General Atomics, a UAEW solution based on the MQ-9B is being developed – an application of military drones for persistent situational awareness.
MQ-9B as unmanned early warning platform: Saab and General Atomics work on joint UAEW solution
Swedish radar technology on an American drone: Saab and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems want to develop the MQ-9B into an unmanned airborne early warning platform. A first flight of an AEW version is planned from 2026.
Saab CEO Micael Johansson elected to head European industry association ASD
People and appointments: the European association of the aerospace, security and defence industries gets a new president from Sweden. Micael Johansson remains CEO of Saab and wants to develop ASD further as a driving force.
Counter-UAS in 84 days: Saab, FMV and Swedish Air Force test Loke system
From concept to first field test in just 84 days: with Loke, Sweden’s Air Force, the FMV procurement agency and Saab have developed a modular counter-UAS system that covers the entire kill chain.
S-70 Okhotnik combat drone: Sukhoi rolls out second near-production stealth prototype in Siberia
A combat drone with stealth ambitions: the new S-70 prototype shows a much smoother skin than its predecessor, and Moscow holds out the prospect of an order after tests next year. Whether series production from 2024 will succeed remains open.
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Das 9Air C4i-Kommando- und Kontrollsystem von Saab
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