Saab has initiated the serial production of its Sirius Compact, a passive electronic warfare (EW) sensor, at a newly established facility in Tampere, Finland.
The new production site is currently operational and geared up to support high production rates, with the first batch of serial-produced units scheduled for delivery to customers in April 2025.
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Saab Finland managing director Kristian Tornivaara said: “Our product-focused research and development work enables efficient production and a product-driven business model.
“This enables fast deliveries and performance of the latest technology for our customers.”
The commencement of serial production marks a significant step in Saab’s growth within Finland and the progression of Sirius Compact. A surge in demand for this sensor has necessitated the move towards mass production.
Saab’s operations in Finland have seen considerable expansion over recent years, with expectations for continued growth and an uptick in exports, particularly of the Sirius Compact.
The Sirius Compact range includes modular and scalable passive sensors that are designed to boost situational awareness by detecting, classifying, and pinpointing the location of various emitters.
The family comprises the Sirius Compact R-ESM, tailored for radar and datalink signals, and the Sirius Compact C-ESM, designed for communication signals.
The R-ESM version can be mounted on various platforms such as drones, vehicles, and vessels.
Meanwhile, the C-ESM kit includes a compact digital antenna and processing box suitable for portable use, among others.
In a separate development, Saab has secured a framework agreement with the Latvian Ministry of Defence (MoD) for the RBS 70 NG short-range ground-based air defence system.
The deal, valued at Skr2.1bn ($209.41m), encompasses the delivery of RBS 70 NG firing units, missiles, and trainer units between 2026 and 2030.
Saab Dynamics head Görgen Johansson said: “Saab continues to support the Latvian National Armed Forces with a strong ground-based air defence capability which will significantly enhance its crucial ability to detect and engage aerial threats.”
The RBS 70 NG system is equipped with an automatic target tracker, built-in night sight, and can engage threats up to 9km away.
The system’s new-generation sight module includes high-resolution thermal imaging and enhanced cueing, enhancing reaction times, and target acquisition.
This order follows a previous agreement in 2022, where the Latvian MoD procured ground-based RBS 70 NG very short-range air defence systems and Giraffe 1X multi-mission radar systems from Saab.
