Lithuania Orders Saab RBS 70 Bolide Missiles to Expand Air Defense
Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defence has placed a SEK 3 billion ($270M) order with Swedish defense contractor Saab for RBS 70 Bolide missiles, marking a significant step in the Baltic state’s air defense modernization. The contract, executed under an existing framework agreement for Saab’s short-range air defense system, anticipates deliveries between 2028 and 2032.
Saab Secures Major Air Defense Contract
The order for RBS 70 Bolide missiles was formalized within a framework agreement between Saab, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), and the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence. The procurement reinforces Lithuania’s longstanding use of Saab’s RBS 70 family of short-range air defense systems, which have been in service with Lithuanian forces since 2004.
Görgen Johansson, Head of Saab’s Business Area Dynamics, said the contract continues the company’s support for Lithuanian air defense and contributes to safeguarding the nation’s airspace.
RBS 70 Bolide: Proven Short-Range Missile
The RBS 70 Bolide is a third-generation, laser beam-riding short-range surface-to-air missile designed to counter a range of aerial threats, from fixed-wing and rotary aircraft to unmanned aerial systems and cruise missiles. It is a key munition for Saab’s RBS 70 NG system, emphasizing mobility and resistance to electronic countermeasures.
Strategic Context: Baltic Air Defense
Lithuania’s acquisition occurs amid broader efforts by Baltic NATO members to reinforce air defense capabilities in response to evolving regional threats. The country has previously invested in Saab’s MSHORAD (Mobile Short Range Air Defence) systems, incorporating RBS 70 NG launchers and Giraffe 1X radar on mobile platforms such as Oshkosh JLTVs.
Enhanced integration of short-range defense assets strengthens layered defenses against low-altitude threats, including drones and cruise weapons, which have become increasingly prevalent in modern conflict environments.
What’s Next
Deliveries of the RBS 70 Bolide missiles are scheduled through 2032, with integration expected across Lithuania’s existing ground-based air defense units. This procurement underscores the continued role of Saab’s air defense solutions in supporting NATO allies on the alliance’s eastern flank.
