Saab Unveils Sea Giraffe AMB D Naval Radar
Saab has introduced Sea Giraffe Agile Multi Beam D, or AMB D, a new three-dimensional naval radar that the company says can track air targets out to 250 km. The company announced the radar on October 27, calling it the latest evolution of its Giraffe family.
Saab said the radar is meant to give naval forces earlier warning of aircraft, drones, missiles and crewed or uncrewed surface vessels. No customer has been named.
Sea Giraffe AMB D Joins Saab’s Naval Radar Line
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Saab (Sweden) |
| Type | 3D naval surveillance and tracking radar |
| Targets | Aircraft, drones, missiles, crewed and uncrewed surface vessels |
| Stated air-target range | Up to 250 km |
| Hardware | Active electronically scanned array (AESA) |
| Architecture | Modular and software-defined |
| Electronic protection | ECCM capabilities against jamming |
| Announced | October 27, 2026 |
“Sea Giraffe AMB D takes a proven naval radar capability to the next level, combining increased performance with a low footprint and an architecture built for continuous development,” said Carl-Johan Bergholm, head of Saab’s Surveillance business area.
Saab said the new radar builds on more than 70 years of company radar work and over two decades of operational service with Sea Giraffe AMB radars. It pairs AESA hardware with a new software architecture and modern processing, which the company says improves air surveillance performance.
What the D Variant Changes
Saab did not publish a side-by-side with earlier Sea Giraffe AMB radars, so the size of the improvement is not yet clear. What the company does describe is a shift in how the radar is upgraded. Because the architecture is software-defined, new modes and processing can be added over the radar’s life without replacing the antenna.
The stated 250 km figure applies to air targets. Radar range against low-flying missiles and small surface craft is normally shorter because of the radar horizon, and Saab has not given figures for those targets. That point is analysis, not a company claim.
Anti-jamming is the other headline feature. Saab said the radar combines electronic counter-countermeasures with a modular design that links to other naval systems, a requirement for ships that now face crowded, contested electromagnetic environments.
Recent Giraffe Family Orders Compared
The launch follows several recent Saab naval and radar contracts, which show where the company is already selling sensors.
| Customer | Order | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Country in Latin America (September 5) | Giraffe 4A radar systems and services | About SEK 550 million |
| Colombian Navy via Damen Naval (February 26) | 9LV combat management and fire control systems, sensors and radars | For the new PES frigate programme |
| Swedish FMV for the Swedish navy | Sea Giraffe 1X naval radar | About SEK 340 million |
Saab Company Profile
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Stockholm, Sweden |
| Founded | 1937, Trollhättan, Sweden |
| Employees | About 31,000 (company, October 2026) |
| Revenue | About SEK 79.1 billion (2025) |
| CEO | Micael Johansson |
| Business areas | Aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors, underwater systems |
| Known programmes | Gripen fighter, GlobalEye, Giraffe radars, Carl-Gustaf |
Radar Business Gains Momentum
The radar arrives as Saab’s order book grows. Its third-quarter order intake, covered in our report on Saab’s Q3 bookings, tripled on Gripen, GlobalEye and German frigate contracts.
Sea Giraffe AMB D FAQ
What is Sea Giraffe AMB D?
A new 3D naval radar from Saab that detects, tracks and classifies air and surface targets, including drones and missiles.
How far can it see?
Saab states a range of up to 250 km for air targets. It has not published figures for surface or low-altitude targets.
Is it an AESA radar?
Yes. Saab said it uses active electronically scanned array hardware with a new software architecture.
Has anyone ordered it?
No customer has been announced.
Why does a software-defined radar matter?
Saab says it allows continuous upgrades as operational requirements and threats change.
- Saab – “Saab announces new Sea Giraffe AMB D radar” (press release, October 27, 2026): saab.com
- Saab – related press releases on Giraffe 4A, the Colombian PES frigate and Sea Giraffe 1X orders
- Wikipedia – Saab AB (company data)
