Saab signs contract with Sweden's FMV for the delivery of ARTHUR systems

Image of Saabʼs ARTHUR weapon-locating system (WLS). (Swedish Armed Forces/Försvarsmakten)

The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (Försvarets materielverk: FMV) signed a SEK1.1 billion (USD119.61 million) contract with Saab for the delivery of an unknown number of ARTHUR (artillery hunting radar) systems for the Swedish Armed Forces, according to a 22 December press release from the FMV.

The deliveries are expected to take place in 2027. The contract includes options for additional systems and the possibility for “co-operative nations to join” the agreement, according to Saab's 22 December press release.

The order includes the latest version of ARTHUR with a capability to warn of incoming indirect fire at a distance of up to 100 km, according to Saab's release.

ARTHUR is a C-band (4–6 GHz) mobile, long-range, 3D weapon-locating system (WLS), according to Janes C4ISR & Mission Systems: Land. It consists of a radar, a data processing unit, operator workstations, communication equipment, power supply, and an inertial navigation system. The radar has electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) features to protect against electronic warfare.

The radar system can track multiple targets simultaneously while searching continues. After tracking, the trajectory is calculated, and both the enemy position and the impact point are determined automatically, according to JanesC4ISR & Mission Systems: Land. Dependant on the calibre of the weapon, the system can locate tube artillery and mortars up to 30 km away and rockets out to more than 40 km.

According to Saab, ARTHUR is operational in 12 countries including Norway, Sweden, the Czech Republic, South Korea, Spain, Italy, Greece, and the United Kingdom.

In March the Swedish government and the FMV announced they would be supplying at least five ARTHUR systems to Ukraine.

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