Minister for Defence Materiel Jason Clare today announced that two new Counter Rocket Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) Giraffe radars have been delivered and are currently in operation at the multi national base Tarin Kot in Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan.
“The Giraffe radars provide our troops with early detection of attacks from enemy rockets, artillery and mortars, protecting Australian and ISAF forces,” Mr Clare said.
“This early warning system has been a proven force protection capability for our troops, giving them vital seconds of advanced warning so they can take shelter.”
Australia assumed responsibility for early detection against rocket, artillery and mortar attacks at Tarin Kot from 28 December 2010.
The new Giraffe radars have replaced leased radars and were manufactured in Sweden by SAAB-AB under an $86.2 million contract, which includes support services.
A third Giraffe radar will be delivered to Australia in January 2013 and will be used as a training support system.
Australia’s C-RAM Sense and Warn capability consists of Giraffe radars, a number of lightweight counter mortar radars and Command and Control and warning equipment.
The deployment of the new radars is the latest in a range of force protection initiatives that over the past few years has delivered $1billion in equipment to protect our troops in Afghanistan including:
- Up-armouring the Bushmasters;
- New combat body armour;
- Heavier calibre weapons; and
- New ground penetrating radar trucks to clear roads of IEDs before troops travel on them.