Tri-Service

Britain Boosts Falklands Defence With New Radar System

Britain has purchased new ground-based air defence radars from the Swedish defence firm Saab to defend against any possible future threat.

The Swedish company announced on August 24 that it had received an order valued at 610 million Swedish krona (£46m) from the UK Ministry of Defence for the supply of new radars and the upgrade of existing systems.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence declined to comment on the destination of the new radars, however the MoD confirmed in the first quarter of the year it was upgrading Falkland's air defences.

A Giraffe AMB radar

Defence Secretary Michael Fallon outlined the plans earlier this year to deploy helicopters and upgrade port facilities along with the GBAD system to boost Britain's military on the islands.

"The current military presence is broadly proportionate to the threats and risks we face. Our forces in the South Atlantic are entirely defensive, and are at the level required to ensure the defence of the Falkland Islands against any potential threat. However, I have agreed a number of measures designed to ensure our resilience for the short, medium and longer term," Fallon said.

More From Forces TV: Argentina And Russia In Strategic Partnership Deal

The UK stations Typhoon combat jets, warships, helicopters and troops on the islands to defend the overseas territory, which lays some 300 miles off the Argentine coast.

Micael Johansson, head of Saab's electronic defence systems business, said the new order was a "significant expansion and upgrade of the Giraffe radar fleet with the UK MoD."