SAAB Delivers Next-Generation TAIPAN Artillery Hunting Radars to British Army for enhanced Counter-Battery Fire.

On September 17, 2024, Saab announced the successful delivery and acceptance of five next-generation Arthur systems, named TAIPAN by the British Army. These state-of-the-art artillery locating radars provide enhanced detection and threat location capabilities, strengthening the UK's counter-battery capacity for the future.

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SAAB TAIPAN Artillery Hunting Radar (Picture source: SAAB)

The TAIPAN systems replace the MAMBA radars, the previous generation of Arthur radars, and are now in service with the 5th Regiment Royal Artillery. Developed by Saab, these new radars offer the British Army rapid deployment and redeployment capabilities, increased operational mobility, and formidable accuracy in counter-battery operations.

Leveraging Saab's digital antenna technology, TAIPAN radars can detect and locate an increased number of targets over greater distances while minimizing electronic signatures. This capability is crucial for survival in increasingly complex electronic warfare environments. Officially accepted by the Royal Artillery during a ceremony at Larkhill Camp on June 28, the TAIPAN radars mark a new milestone in the modernization of British defense systems.

Andy Fraser, Managing Director of Saab UK, expressed his pride at the delivery: "We are immensely proud to support the British Army with our state-of-the-art TAIPAN systems. Our relationship with the Army and the Arthur system builds on years of experience, extending back through service in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Saab team looks forward to continuing this support for the UK, which has become the first user of both the current and next-generation Arthur systems."

Lieutenant General Sir Andrew Gregory KBE CB, Master Gunner St James’s Park, also praised Saab's work: "Saab is our key partner for both MAMBA and now TAIPAN. What this company has provided and continues to deliver to our Armed Forces is impressive. MAMBA has more than proved its worth, and TAIPAN represents a real change in capability."

ARTHUR, an acronym for Artillery Hunting Radar, is a mobile weapon-locating radar system developed by Saab Bofors Dynamics and Ericsson Microwave Systems in Sweden. This radar is designed to detect and track incoming artillery and rocket fire, allowing for the determination of their point of origin for counter-battery operations.

Operating in the 5.4-5.9 GHz frequency band (C band, typically used for long-distance radio telecommunications), the ARTHUR system can locate guns, mortars, and rocket launchers at a distance of up to 50 km. It has a circular error probable (CEP) of only 0.35% of the range, ensuring exceptional accuracy.

The radar uses an active electronically scanned array (AESA) to locate projectiles in three dimensions, enabling it to operate in a "track and scan" mode. It can simultaneously handle more than 100 targets and also provides air surveillance information to support air defense units.

The ARTHUR system has been adopted by several armies around the world, including those of Sweden, Norway, the UK, Italy, and Canada. Radars of this type are particularly valuable in modern asymmetric warfare scenarios, where detecting and rapidly responding to enemy artillery fire is crucial.

As part of its strategy to expand its global industrial base outside Sweden, Saab plans to support the maintenance and additional work for the TAIPAN radars from its Radar Centre of Excellence in Fareham, UK. Beyond the UK, the ARTHUR system is already in service in 12 other countries, including six NATO members, as well as South Korea.

With the introduction of the TAIPAN systems, Saab significantly strengthens the British Army's ability to detect and respond to artillery threats, while consolidating its position as a leading provider of advanced radar systems worldwide.