Lithuania Orders RBS 70 NG Air Defense Systems from SAAB

Saab has signed a framework agreement with the Latvian Ministry of Defence for the short-range ground-based air defense system RBS 70 NG and received an order within the agreement.

This is stated in the company’s press release.

The order value is SEK 2.1 billion ($197.4 million) and deliveries will take place 2026-2030.

The order includes RBS 70 NG firing units and missiles as well as trainer units.

“Saab continues to support the Latvian National Armed Forces with a strong ground-based air defense capability which will significantly enhance its crucial ability to detect and engage aerial threats,” says Görgen Johansson, head of Saab’s business area Dynamics.

In July 2024, Lithuania ordered MSHORAD short-range mobile systems from SAAB, which use RBS 70 NG anti-aircraft missiles as weapons.

The RBS 70 system is designed to destroy low-flying targets and provides interception at ranges of up to 5,000-8,000 meters and altitudes of up to 3,000-5,000 meters.

The RBS 70 is operated by three servicemen: an operator, a loader, and a commander.

The launch platform weighs 35 kg and is equipped with an optical sight and a thermal imaging system.

The weight of the surface-to-air missile in its transport-launch container is 24 kg, and the total weight of the system is about 100 kg, making shoulder-fired launches impossible.

The system’s deployment time is 45 seconds, and reloading takes less than 5 seconds.

The missile is guided by a laser beam, ensuring high accuracy and resistance to flares and chaffs.