Saab supports British Army’s air defence exercise in Falklands

Above: BlueBear’s target-system as used in Ex KOP SHIELD.
Courtesy Saab

The exercise aimed to test the reaction and command-and-control of Ground Based Air Defence systems in a challenging operational environment.

Over two days and five sorties, drone operators from 7 Air Defence Group’s Counter–Uncrewed Aerial System Training Team (7 AD Gp CTT) worked alongside the Resident Sky Sabre Battery. Together they used BlueBear’s target system to act as a training threat for the British Forces South Atlantic Islands’ Sky Sabre system. 

Sky Sabre includes Saab’s Giraffe AMB radar and as part of the same exercise was training alongside the Royal Air Force’s Typhoons stationed on the Falklands. 

BlueBear supplied a target system and a dedicated support team to the exercise. With their guidance, the team enhanced the capabilities of the 7 AD Gp CTT’s operators – successfully extending the range of the target system out over the South Atlantic, nearly doubling its usual operational range and covering over 500km during the trial.

Andy Fraser, Group Managing Director at Saab UK, said: “Ex KOP SHIELD was a remarkable demonstration of the capabilities of BlueBear’s target system and the expertise of our support team. Working alongside the British Army’s 7th Air Defence Group, we were able to simulate real-world scenarios to provide accurate training. This exercise underscores our commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions that enhance the operational readiness of our customers.” 

FLt Dan Anderson, 7 AD Gp CTT, said: “Ex KOP SHIELD showcased the capabilities of Sky Sabre, CTT and the professionalism of our personnel. We appreciate the support provided by Saab UK and the BlueBear target system, whose expertise helped us extend the distances against which we train and gain valuable insights into our systems’ capabilities.”

The exercise provided valuable assurance of training in operational environments, demonstrating the effectiveness of BlueBear’s target system in various global settings, now proven across the Arctic, Europe, Middle East and the South Atlantic.