Argentina to acquire RBS 70 NG air defense missile system to protect G-20 meeting.

The Argentine Ministry of Defense has announced via a decree its intention to acquire new capacity of air defense, to increase capabilities to defend and control its airspace. In November 2018, Argentina will organize the G-20 meeting and would like to improve protection during the event especially against air threats.

Soldiers Marine Infantry of Argentine Navy using RBS 70 short-range anti-aircraft missile system (Picture source www.zona-militar.com)

According to the military website www.zona-militar.com, Argentina could purchase RBS 70 NG latest version of the short-range air defense systems RBS 70 developed and manufactured by the Swedish Company SAAB. Currently, Argentine armed forces are equipped with Skyguard anti-aircraft 35mm gun GDF-002 and some 20/30mm anti-aircraft cannons.

The Argentina army is also equipped with 3 shelter-mounted surface-to-air missile ROLAND 2 SAM system designed to engage enemy aircraft flying at M1.2 or less between a minimum altitude of 10 m and a maximum altitude of 5,500 m and between a minimum effective range of 500 m and a maximum range of 6,300 m.

In late September 2016, Swedish Company SAAB has announced that it had procured a $44 million order for the RBS 70 SHORAD (Short Range Air Defense) without disclosing the customer but the military magazine Janes reported that the buyer country could be Argentina. According, to the SIPRI (Stockholm International Peace Research Institute) Arms Transfers Database, in 2009, Argentina has ordered 30 RBS-70 NG air defense system.

The first version of the RBS 70 is already in service with the Marine Infantry of Argentine Navy since 1990.

The RBS 70 NG is based on the RBS 70 with new-generation sighting system, high precision, unbeatable range and unjammable laser guidance. The RBS 70 NG was presented for the first time to the public during the DSEI defense exhibition in September 2011, London, United Kingdom. The RBS 70 NG uses the new BOLIDE missile which can defeat a wide range of targets, including ground and surface targets. BOLIDE has an intercept range of 8,000 m and altitude coverage of more than 5 000 m.