Skip to content
Welcome, thoughtbot's Giant Robots listeners!Start here
GUTE II
AI-generated illustration
LegislationSE

GUTE II

Sweden's Ground-based Air Defence II programme, a mobile Counter-UAS system combining Giraffe radar, Trackfire weapon stations, and EW effectors.

On 2 April, Sweden awarded Saab a 2.6 billion Swedish kronor contract for GUTE II, a mobile counter-drone programme combining radar, remote weapon stations and electronic-warfare effectors.

Last refreshed: 1 October 2026 · Appears in 1 active topic

Timeline for GUTE II

#18 15 Sept
#11 29 May
#10 26 May
#10 20 May
#10 20 May
View full timeline →

Background

GUTE II forms Sweden's Ground-based Air Defence II programme for mobile counter-drone defence. Its planned system joins Giraffe 1X radar, Trackfire remote weapon stations and electronic-warfare effectors, covering detection and both kinetic and non-kinetic responses to unmanned aircraft.

The programme is procured through Sweden's Defence Materiel Administration, known as FMV. Saab leads the system delivery, while the Giraffe 1X radar provides an air-surveillance element used by several NATO allies. GUTE II therefore links Sweden's national procurement system to equipment already familiar across allied air-defence forces.

Key Issues
Mobile air defence

GUTE II strengthens mobile drone defence

On 2 April, Sweden placed GUTE II with Saab for a mobile counter-drone system. The programme combines Giraffe 1X air-surveillance radar, Trackfire remote weapon stations and electronic-warfare effectors, giving Swedish forces several means to detect and defeat small and medium unmanned aircraft.

GUTE II places the capability with deployable ground forces rather than a fixed site. That focus matters in northern Europe, where units may need to move across dispersed terrain while operating under electronic interference. First deliveries are scheduled for 2027, making the award an early step in Sweden's fielding of the system.

Common Questions
What is the GUTE II programme and what does it buy?
GUTE II is Sweden's mobile counter-drone concept, developed by Swedish industry, the Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the Swedish Armed Forces from lessons of the war in Ukraine. On 2 April 2026 Sweden placed GUTE II orders worth 8.7 billion Swedish kronor, for weapon stations, radar, electronic warfare and 40mm guns. Deliveries are due in 2027 and 2028.Source: Saab press release, 2 April 2026 (saab.com); Janes and AeroTime, 2 April 2026
Why did Sweden buy a counter-drone system in 2026?
Sweden joined NATO in 2024 and faces an accelerating Baltic drone incursion series, including a drone explosion at a Latvian oil facility and a NATO air Intercept over Estonia. GUTE II is Sweden's response: a mobile, deployable counter-drone system for the Nordic-Baltic threat environment.Source: Lowdown drones-industry-defence Update 10
Who builds the GUTE II counter-drone system?
Two contractors share the work. Saab's order, worth about 2.6 billion Swedish kronor, covers Trackfire remote weapon stations with a 30mm cannon, Giraffe 1X radar and electronic warfare equipment. BAE Systems Bofors supplies the Tridon Mk2, a 40mm gun mounted on a truck.Source: Saab press release, 2 April 2026 (saab.com); AeroTime, 2 April 2026