Saab has received an order from NATO to extend the service life of the Arthur artillery locating radar systems used by the Spanish Army.
The contract is valued at approximately 540 million Swedish kronor ($57 million).
The Arthur radar is a digital artillery-locating system used for target acquisition, counter-battery operations, and fire control.
Life extension will maintain Spain’s artillery-locating capabilities while improving operational efficiency.
Upgrades are intended to improve mobility, extend detection range, and increase accuracy, enabling the system to locate more targets at greater distances while reducing its electronic footprint.
According to Carl-Johan Bergholm, head of Saab’s Surveillance business area, the order is the first radar acquisition to go through NATO’s procurement organization and will support Spain’s ability to respond quickly to incoming fire while sustaining its artillery locating force.
Arthur Radar
The Arthur radar is a highly mobile system that can be deployed and packed up in under two minutes, designed for frontline operations requiring speed and flexibility.
It is largely automated and can operate with minimal personnel, reducing the need for manual intervention.
The system is compatible with a variety of vehicles and is designed to remain functional in demanding combat environments.
In operation, Arthur tracks artillery in flight, calculates the positions of enemy batteries, provides precise impact data for planning, and supports rapid counter-battery responses.
The radar is currently in service with 12 countries, including Norway, Sweden, South Korea, and the Czech Republic.
Spain, Italy, and the UK also operate the system, and in March, Sweden announced plans to donate five Arthur radars to Ukraine as part of its 18th aid package for Kyiv.
