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Saab's Sirius Compact L20C sensor to be produced at new Finnish facility

By Tamara Rozouvan |

Image of Saab's Sirius Compact L20C passive C-ESM sensor. (Saab)

Saab will produce its Sirius Compact L20C communications-electronic support measures (C-ESM) sensor and others in volume at its new production facility in Tampere, Finland, managing director of Saab Finland Kristian Tornivaara told Janes on 20 January.

The Sirius Compact L20C passive C-ESM sensor, which was launched in October 2024, has a frequency coverage of 20 MHz to 3 GHz (6 GHz optional). It can be deployed across all electronic warfare (EW) operations due to its low size, weight, and power (SWaP) design. The L20C sensor – a member of the Sirius Compact family of passive ESM sensors – is suitable for integration with various vehicles including unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs), on static or mobile masts, or with an optional tripod. Power supply can be sustained using external NATO-standard batteries such as BB-2590.

Apart from the L20C passive sensor, the new facility in Finland will also produce the land-based L20R and airborne A20R versions, which operate in the 2–18 GHz frequency range as well as the L21R and A21R, which offer extended coverage down to 1GHz. All four sensor variants are designed, manufactured, and produced in Finland, with the new facility created for volume production, said Tornivaara.

“Initial production has been managed within Saab's existing facilities; however, current demand for Sirius Compact is such that an additional facility has been established,” said Tornivaara.

Saab did not disclose the number of orders for the EW sensors for 2024 or plans for future production numbers at the new facility, which will “enter into service in early 2025”.

“Suffice to say, the quantities are significant enough to warrant establishing a dedicated production and support facility,” Tornivaara added.

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