Saab has signed a contract with Republic of Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) concerning support for the Arthur Weapon Locating System. This Performance Based Logistics (PBL) contract includes spare parts supply and support for the Republic of Korea Army and Marine Corps. The contract value is approximately SEK500 million ($56.8 million) and will be valid for the 2018 through 2023 period.

Saab's Arthur Weapon Locating System (Picture source: Saab)

Saab delivered its first Arthur system to South Korea in 2009 and has had annual support contracts for these systems in place since 2012. Since 2012, Saab has also participated in delivery of additional Arthur systems within a Technical Cooperation Program (TCP) with the Korean company LIG Nex1.

"South Korea, the largest operator of our Arthur Weapon Locating System, is a very important customer with demanding requirements. This five-year contract is further proof of our successful collaboration with the South Korean forces and we are proud to continue contributing to the country's safety by providing on-site support for the Arthur systems," said Anders Carp, Senior Vice President and Head of Saab's Surveillance business area.

Saab will carry out the majority of the work with its local support team in South Korea, while all spare parts will be supplied by Saab in Gothenburg, Sweden.
South Korea deploys the Saab Arthur weapon-locating radar system to detect incoming enemy artillery 24/7 and give residents an enhanced 90 second warning of incoming fire. Arthur has the ability to rapidly detect incoming artillery fire and can calculate the firing site and point of impact, enabling effective counter-fire within a few seconds. Following a border crisis in 2015, South Korea awarded Saab for its on-ground Arthur support contributions.