The new Loke concept, developed to counter drone threats, was employed for the first time in a real NATO mission, strengthening the air defense of allied forces in Poland.
Between April and September 2025, the system was deployed by the Swedish Air Force at Malbork Air Base in northern Poland, where it protected strategic installations.
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The Swedish contingent included units from the 21st Wing and later the 17th Wing, ensuring the defense of a logistics hub essential for the flow of military aid to Ukraine.
“Effective air operations require reliable ground protection. The systems we deployed significantly strengthened base security for us and our allies,” said Lieutenant Colonel Christian Bertilsson, commander of the Swedish contingent.
The Loke system
Unveiled in February 2025, Loke was developed by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), the Swedish Air Force, and Saab. The concept emerged as a rapid response to the growing drone threat and has already become a cornerstone of Sweden’s defensive capabilities.
The system combines:
- Saab Giraffe 1X mobile radar, capable of identifying aerial targets at short and medium range;
- Trackfire remote-controlled combat station, equipped with heavy and medium machine guns;
- Electronic warfare modules, enhancing detection and neutralization of threats.
This integration enables not only the detection of physical targets but also signals in the electromagnetic spectrum, offering multiple neutralization options in real time.
Accelerated development
According to Saab, Loke was developed in record time: only 84 days separated the system’s initial conception from its operational presentation. This speed is cited as an example of threat-driven development, capable of delivering tangible results in the short term.
With the success of its first NATO mission, Sweden reinforces its contribution to European collective defense and demonstrates the effectiveness of innovative solutions against the growing drone threat in modern combat scenarios.
Source and images: Saab. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
