Saab secures $2.1B deal for advanced Latvian air defense
The Swedish corporation Saab has signed an agreement with the Latvian Ministry of Defense to deliver RBS-70 NG air defense systems valued at 2.1 billion Swedish krona. Here's what this Scandinavian solution can do.
The contract for the RBS-70 NG system is valued at 2.1 billion Swedish krona, with deliveries scheduled between 2026 and 2030. The agreement includes not just the launchers, but also missile stockpiles and a training package.
RBS-70 NG — an advanced version of unique Swedish weaponry
The RBS-70 system dates back to the 1970s when the Swedish defense industry, serving as the guardian of the country's neutrality, independently developed this solution. After years of intensive work, the system was introduced in 1979.
The Swedish system is distinctive because it uses laser guidance, unlike other systems that rely on sensors operating in the infrared or ultraviolet spectrums. While this isn't an ideal option for anti-aircraft weaponry, it has its advantages.
The main benefit of this guidance method is its resistance to electronic warfare systems and countermeasures such as flares, all while maintaining low production costs. However, it requires continuous missile guidance to the target until impact, which can be challenging with fast-moving objects. Additionally, the target’s defense systems might detect the laser beam.
Notably, the Swedes developed a system to assist in tracking the target, which significantly eases aiming at fast-moving objects. Additionally, the operator has access to a sight with a thermal imaging camera.
RBS-70 NG - not just a threat to aviation
A notable advantage of the RBS-70 NG system is its capability to attack ground targets such as armored personnel carriers—a feature not possible with most current anti-aircraft missiles.
This is enabled by the warhead's design, which weighs about 2.4 pounds and employs a shaped charge and fragmentation construction, capable of penetrating the armor of such vehicles. It may be too weak for tanks, but it is effective against lighter vehicles, offering diverse applicability.
The missile can reach speeds of approximately Mach 2, engage targets up to 6 miles away, and reach altitudes of up to 3 miles. This system is used by various countries, including Canada, Lithuania, and Ukraine, and it has already recorded several successful shootdowns of modern Russian Ka-52 Alligator helicopters.
