Lithuania boosts anti-aircraft defense with Saab RBS‑70 NG, a Swedish system with unique laser guidance

Lithuania plans to bolster its anti-aircraft defense by implementing Saab RBS-70 NG anti-aircraft systems. These systems are likely to be mounted on Iveco LMV vehicles and will supplement the lighter PPZR Piorun anti-aircraft sets from Poland, which have a shorter range. The RBS-70 anti-aircraft sets have also been sold to Ukraine where they are being used efficiently to combat the newest Russian Ka-52 Alligator helicopters.

The Unique Swedish Anti-Aircraft System

The Saab RBS-70 NG is a battle-proven air defense system, capable of assaulting targets up to 5.6 miles away and up to 3.1 miles above ground. This surpasses the capabilities of portable air defense systems like the American FIM-92 Stinger or the Polish system, PPZR Piorun.

Furthermore, the Saab RBS-70 NG, following its 1970s variant, utilizes an unusual missile-guidance system, based on an initial laser beam. This system is shared with rival systems such as the Strarstreak and Martlet.

This is a cost-effective guidance system that is immune to electronic warfare effects and self-defense systems. These include cutting edge solutions like DIRCM that impair optoelectronic heads with a laser.

However, the guidance system based on a laser beam does have a significant downside - the requirement for manual navigation of the launched missile by the shooter until its impact. This introduces the likelihood of human error, which can be aggravated by stress. Furthermore, it signals to the target that a missile has been launched at it (since most airplanes and helicopters have detectors for laser beams). This gives the target a few seconds for a potentially life-saving response, which could involve an attack on the launching site using onboard weaponry.

Nevertheless, the Swedes have been using a thermal imaging sight and target-tracking algorithms since 2011. Significantly, this approach alleviates some of the challenges associated with manual missile guidance.

Additionally, the Saab RBS-70 NG system allows for engaging ground targets. The missile carries a shaped charge-fragmentation warhead weighing 2.4 lbs. This can destroy lighter armored targets, such as BTR-80 family armored personnel carriers or BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles.