Finland orders Saab RBS 70 air defense missiles.

Saab has received an order from Finland regarding missiles for the RBS 70 ground-based air defense system. The order value is approximately SEK 800 million and deliveries will take place from 2023-2026.
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Firing of a Saab RBS 70 NG air defense missile (Picture source: SAAB)

The order includes Saab’s latest version of the RBS 70 missile, Bolide, which enables engagement with airborne armored targets and drones. The missile will be used with Finland’s current RBS 70 systems, which have been in use in the country for more than 15 years. In Finland, the system is referred to as ITO05 and ITO05M (Ilmatorjuntaohjus 05).

“We are proud to continue contributing to Finland’s air defense capability with our future-proof Bolide missile, which can be used against a wide range of threats,” says Görgen Johansson, head of Saab’s business area Dynamics.

Saab’s portfolio of short-range, ground-based air defense missile systems includes the RBS 70 and the latest version, RBS 70 NG. The RBS 70 has an impressive track record on the market with more than 1,600 launchers and over 18,000 missiles delivered to 19 nations.

RBS 70 (Robotsystem 70) is a man-portable air-defense system (MANPADS) designed for anti-aircraft warfare in all climate zones and with little to no support from other forces. Originally designed and manufactured by the Swedish defense firm of Bofors Defence (Saab Bofors Dynamics, since 2000). It uses the RB 70 missile which is also in use in a number of other Swedish missile systems.

The RBS 70 is a Short-range Air Defense (SHORAD) laser-guided missile system. Mk 1 and Mk 2 followed shortly and are the standard RBS 70 with a range of 5,000–6,000 m and a ceiling of 3,000 m. Currently, RBS 70 is operational in 18 customer countries, on all continents and in the Arctic, desert, and tropical environments.[citation needed]

In 2003 the "Bolide" upgrade system was introduced to the RBS 70. The Bolide missile is an RBS 70 Mk 2 upgrade that is faster (Mach 2 vs Mach 1.6), with a range up to 8 km (5.0 mi) and can reach an altitude of 6 km. Deliveries were initiated in 2005.

In 2011, Saab Bofors Dynamics announced the introduction of the new RBS 70 New Generation (RBS 70 NG). The upgraded version included an improved sighting system capable of night vision and improved training and after-action review features.

Saab RBS 70 NG air defense missile (Picture source: SAAB).