Arthur alerts civilians and troops of incoming fire. Credit: Saab AB.
NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has contracted Saab to extend the lifespan of the Artillery Hunting Radar (Arthur) systems used by the Spanish Army.
The order is valued at approximately Skr540m ($57m). It marks the first time that one of Saab’s radar systems has been procured through NATO’s purchasing body.
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According to Saab, the order aims to sustain Spain’s artillery locating capabilities through modern technological integration, while ensuring cost-effectiveness.
This extension will enhance operational mobility and precision in counter-battery operations, allowing for the detection of more targets over extended distances with a reduced electronic signature.
The Arthur radar system is designed to offer warnings of incoming fire and support missions such as counter-battery fire and fire control.
The lightweight and mobile weapon locating system (WLS) is deployed tactically near forward troop lines to provide commanders with greater manoeuvrability and facilitate rapid counter-fire responses.
Saab claims that the system can detect and track artillery projectiles quickly, calculate their origin points for counter-battery purposes, and generate impact points for intelligence analysis.
Arthur is currently operational in 12 countries, including Norway, Sweden and the Czech Republic, as well as Spain, South Korea, Greece, Italy, and the UK.
Saab business area surveillance head Carl-Johan Bergholm said: “We are pleased to continue to strengthen Spain’s artillery locating capability, which is critical in warning of incoming fire as well as enabling quick counter-battery fire. The order is the first of our radar systems to go via NATO’s purchasing organisation which is an important step for us.”
The extension order comes as Spain is increasing its defence spending to meet NATO’s 2% GDP defence spending target by 2030, a goal that has been delayed due to political challenges.
According to GlobalData’s “Spain Defense Market 2024-2029” report, Spain’s defence spending is projected to rise, reaching $27.3bn (€23.5bn) by 2029.
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