Saab to modernise Sweden’s coastal anti-ship missile capability
With RBS15 Mk3 anti-ship missile
Saab has signed a major contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration to modernise Sweden’s coastal anti-ship missile capability. The agreement, valued at SEK800 million, will see the introduction of Saab’s RBS15 Mk3 anti-ship missile, which will replace the current RBS15 Mk2 in use. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2026, and most of the order intake was already booked in the third quarter of 2024.
The contract will include integrating the RBS15 Mk3 onto a launcher module installed on trucks, enabling the Swedish Armed Forces to enhance their mobile coastal defence systems. The Swedish military reintroduced its coastal anti-ship missile capability in 2016, and the new RBS15 Mk3 will further boost these capabilities, offering a more advanced solution for naval defence.
Commenting on the deal, Görgen Johansson, the head of Saab’s business area Dynamics, said: “Sweden will receive a significant capability increase with an anti-ship missile featuring a more advanced target seeker, increased range and a larger warhead. RBS15 is specifically developed for the Baltic Sea’s complex environment and harsh weather conditions.”
The new missile system offers a marked improvement in performance and operational flexibility compared to its predecessor.
The RBS15 Mk3 can strike naval targets from over 200km away. This enhanced range is complemented by its ability to be launched from both ships and trucks, making it adaptable to various operational needs.
Saab developed and produced the RBS15 Mk3 with its German partner, Diehl Defence. It is designed to withstand the challenging conditions of the Baltic Sea and similar environments.
The upgraded system also features a more sophisticated target seeker, which improves the missile’s precision and ability to engage targets in complex and cluttered maritime environments. With the new capabilities, Sweden is poised to significantly strengthen its coastal defence against potential threats in the region.
This modernisation of Sweden’s coastal missile capability aligns with ongoing efforts to enhance the country’s defence infrastructure in response to growing security concerns in the Baltic Sea region. Saab’s continued partnership with the Swedish Armed Forces is critical to ensuring that Sweden maintains its readiness to respond to evolving defence challenges in the years to come.
The RBS15 Mk3 will also play a crucial role in Sweden’s broader defence strategy, complementing other advanced systems in its inventory. As the system is integrated into the Swedish Armed Forces’ arsenal, it will provide a vital countermeasure against hostile naval forces, ensuring that Sweden retains a significant deterrent capability in its territorial waters.
Saab’s contract marks a significant milestone in the evolution of Sweden’s coastal defence. The country will now benefit from one of the most advanced coastal anti-ship missile systems available, further reinforcing its commitment to maintaining a strong and secure regional defence posture.
Image: CGI of a RBS15 Mk3 anti-ship missile fired from a truck. Credit: Saab
