Swedish defense conglomerate Saab has officially sealed a substantial contract with South Korea’s Defense Acquisition Program Administration, marking a significant deal for the support and supply of spare parts for its sophisticated Arthur weapon locating systems. The contract, valued at approximately SEK 795 million, spans the period from 2023 to 2028, indicating a robust, long-term partnership between Saab and South Korea.
In executing this agreement, Saab will manage the contract with its local support team based in South Korea, collaborating closely with a dedicated team in Gothenburg, Sweden, focusing on spare parts supply and back-office support. A pivotal aspect of the production for this program will be conducted by the South Korean defense company LIG Nex1, operating under a localization agreement established between Saab and LIG.
The Arthur weapon locating system, an acronym for “artillery hunting radar” (ARTHUR), functions as a stand-alone C-band medium-range weapon-locating system. Originally developed in close cooperation with the Norwegian and Swedish armed forces, ARTHUR has gained global recognition and is employed by several nations, including the United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and the UK.
Carl-Johan Bergholm, Head of Saab’s business area Surveillance, expressed pride in contributing to the Republic of Korea Armed Forces' capabilities, emphasizing Saab's commitment to ensuring the Arthur systems remain operationally excellent and readily available.
The ARTHUR system utilizes passive phased-array antenna technology, striking the perfect balance between mobility, range, accuracy, and operational cost. Capable of detecting hostile artillery by tracking projectiles in flight, the ARTHUR Mod C boasts a larger antenna, enabling it to detect guns at 31 km, mortars at 55 km, and rockets at 50–60 km, depending on their size. The system can locate targets at a remarkable rate of 100 per minute, exhibiting precision with a CEP of 0.2% of range for guns and rockets and 0.1% for mortars.
With more than 60 ARTHUR units sold globally, their availability has been well proven through thousands of hours of operation. The system's flexibility allows it to function both as a stand-alone, medium-range weapons locating radar and as part of a long-range weapon locating system, comprising two to four radars working seamlessly in coordination.
This lucrative contract underscores Saab's position as a key player in the defense industry and exemplifies its commitment to advancing military capabilities through cutting-edge technology.
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