Gute II: Sweden beefs up its counter-drone defence with Saab and BAE orders

Sweden is set to significantly enhance its counter-drone defence under the Gute II initiative. It has placed orders with Saab and BAE for short-range air defences, and is working closely with both companies on the concepts of employment.

By Sam Cranny-Evans, editor of Calibre Defence, published on April 3, 2026.

FMV has awarded contracts worth SEK 8.7 billion (approx. £697 million/$922.88 million) for the production of a new counter-UAS system, according to an April 2 press release. This investment follows the successful development of the “Gute” concept, which was fast-tracked to address lessons from the conflict in Ukraine.

The system chain includes command and control (C2) units, active and passive sensors, and kinetic effectors. Specifically, the orders involve BAE Systems Bofors and Saab to provide mobile platforms capable of intercepting small to medium drones.

Saab received an order valued at SEK 2.6 billion for a mobile, modular counter-UAS solution, the company announced on April 2. This platform integrates the Giraffe 1X radar and the Trackfire Remote Weapon Station (RWS) equipped with a 30 mm cannon.

Furthermore, BAE Systems Bofors will supply the Tridon Mk2, a truck-mounted 40 mm anti-aircraft gun system under a SEK 1.9 billion ($180 million) contract announced the same day. The Trackfire will be mounted on the SISU GTP (Terranbil 24) 4×4 vehicle, which Sweden is jointly procuring with Finland. Deliveries are scheduled to take place between 2027 and 2028.

The current Gute II procurement is the result of a rapid development cycle that began in 2024. According to a June 2025 FMV update, “Operation Gute” saw agencies and industry collaborate to build a prototype in just ten months. The project focused on “cost-exchange ratios,” noting that cheap drones can destroy expensive vehicles if not countered effectively. Consequently, the new system uses automated C2 to ensure fast, synchronised engagements that manual aiming cannot achieve.

Calibre comment: Counter-drone defence at a national level needs more than interceptors

A Sisu GTP with the Trackfire RWS as developed under Sweden’s Gute initiative. Credit: Swedish FMV

Most focus on counter-drone defence is on the national level tends to focus on the interceptors. This is understandable, the concern is mostly about protecting towns, cities, and people from the massed waves of Shaheds deployed by Russia and Iran. Few politicians are keen to see images of strikes on towns and cities on their home turf. Ukraine’s experience, which includes the Tridon Mk 2 and Skyranger, show that these waves can be effectively intercepted. So, it is reasonable for countries to pursue capabilities that can achieve similar results.

However, national resilience to air defence threats requires a lot more than interceptors. For example, both Israel and Ukraine have advanced early warning systems and networks of bunkers. This means that citizens can be given relatively accurate indications of threat to their locations and take cover. And, importantly, both have developed the ability to strike back. Without striking back, a country is constrained to sitting and absorbing strikes, rather than degrading the adversary’s ability to strike. Given the ease with which things like Shahed can be built in contrast to air defence systems, this is not a favourable strategy.

If you would like to read further on counter-drone defence efforts, check out some of the links below. It also really supports Calibre Defence, so thank you.

• Sweden tests Ukrainian drones in bid to learn Russian tactics
• Denmark to fund Tridon Mk 2 battalion for Ukraine
• Introducing Nimbrix, Saab’s new counter-drone solution
• Rheinmetall: Up to 1,000 Skyrangers could be procured
• Shahed and Geran: The evolution of Russia’s deep strikes

The lead image shows a Tridon Mk 2 and Trackfire-armed vehicle. Credit: Swedish FMV.