NATO Standards Dismissed in Rapid Development of Loke AA Gun: 84 Days to Completion

Swedish defense company Saab has developed a new mobile anti-drone air defense system, dubbed Loke. Essentially a limit test of how quickly it can create new weapons, Saab hails this project, implemented in a mere 84 days, as a feat of cooperation between the Swedish Air Force, the Defense Materiel Administration (FMV), and the company itself.

From the start, the concept was not about designing a system from scratch but rather assembling an effective solution from existing components, much like a Lego set.

The Loke system consists of two main vehicle types: one for threat detection and tracking, and the other for engagement. The detection unit features the Giraffe 1X radar, a compact 150-kilogram three-coordinate system optimized for tracking small objects like drones. It has an official instrumented range of up to 75 km, though effectively it can see small quadcopters only within 4 km.

As showcased in the photos, the radar was simply mounted on a pallet and secured with elastic tie-downs. Power supply was also arranged in a straightforward manner, with wires simply routed through an extension cord — likely connected to a generator.

Beside the radar sits a red container equipped with antennas, which Saab has not detailed. No one bothered to paint it, once again reflecting the project’s emphasis on speed over refinement. Most likely, its functions include electronic reconnaissance to record the activity of drones and/or jamming. Alternatively, it could provide communications for coordinating fire units.

We can also spot markings indicating successful interceptions of 36 quadcopter-type drones and 17 fixed-wing UAVs during the radar tests.

Target elimination is handled by Loke’s engagement vehicles, equipped with the long-established Trackfire weapon station, originally developed for naval vessels like the Combat Boat 90 armored assault craft.

This station features two machine guns: a 7.62-mm FN MAG and a 12.7-mm M2 Browning, integrated with a digital fire control system with automatic target tracking, powerful day and night vision, and a laser rangefinder.

Overall, the system is a nod to a pragmatic approach that prioritizes speed over strict adherence to standardization, like regulatory wiring practices or conditional “NATO standards.”

It actually makes sense given Sweden’s relatively recent NATO accession on March 7, 2024. Moreover, Saab has also indicated that other bureaucratic processes are being expedited because it expects Loke to be fully integrated into combat units of the Swedish Armed Forces by the end of 2025.