Brazil order Saab's RBS 70 VSHORAD air defence system.

Swedish defence and security company Saab has received a new order from the Brazilian Army for the delivery of RBS 70 VSHORAD (Very Short Range Air Defence) missile system. Deliveries will take place during 2018-2019.

Brazilian army has used the RBS 70 man-portable air defense missile system for the protection of the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. (Source picture SAAB)

The RBS 70 system is in-service with the Brazilian Army and the system played an important role in the protection of the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In December 2014, Saab has signed a contract for the delivery of first batch of 63 RBS-70 Mk-3 Bolid to the Brazilian army including man-portable launchers, missiles and associated equipment.

The contract signed between Saab and the Brazilian Army includes man-portable launchers, training simulators, camouflage systems and associated equipment for operators and maintainers.

“Brazil has an ambitious program for strengthening their air defence capability and this is our third order from the customer in recent years. We are proud to have been selected as a supplier in that transformation, knowing that our system plays an important role in protecting their airspace and defending critical infrastructure”, says Marianna Silva, Country Manager Saab Brazil.

“The overall market for short range air defence systems is growing and we see an increasing demand from Brazil and other customers around the world. Not only for our man-portable system, but also for our new Mobile SHORAD solution that we introduced at DSEI in London this year”, says Görgen Johansson, senior vice president and head of business area Dynamics at Saab.

The Saab portfolio of short-range ground based air defence missile systems comprises of the RBS 70 and the further enhanced RBS 70 NG. The RBS 70 system has an impressive track-record on the market. 19 countries have procured more than 1,600 RBS 70 systems, including more than 18,000 missiles.

The RBS 70 is a man-portable air-defense missile system (MANPADS) designed for air defense warfare. It was developed to supply the Swedish air defense with a low-cost, easy-to-use and effective short-range SAM system. The first delivery of RBS 70 missile systems for trial purposes was made in late 1973 with user trials conducted between 1974 and 1975.

The latest generation of missile for the RBS 70 launcher unit is the Bolide which is a development of the RBS 70 Mk2. The Bolide missile design incorporates a number of new systems including a fiber-optic gyroscope, an adaptable proximity fuse which provides all-target capability and a high kill probability against small and dark targets, new sustainer rocket motor with an improved performance propellant and new electronics. It has a range of up to 8 km and can reach an altitude of 5 km.