Saab RBS 70 Bolide Missile

Full Specifications

Saab RBS 70 Bolide Short-Range Air Defense Missile

The Saab RBS 70 Bolide is a modern short-range air defense (SHORAD) missile designed to counter low-flying aerial threats with high precision and resistance to electronic countermeasures. Developed as an advanced evolution of the RBS 70 family, the Bolide variant significantly enhances speed, range, and lethality, making it a reliable point-defense solution for modern militaries.

Manufacturer, Origin, and Role

Produced by Saab Bofors Dynamics of Sweden, the RBS 70 Bolide is a man-portable, ground-launched surface-to-air missile (SAM). Its primary mission is to defend military units, air bases, critical infrastructure, and naval assets from aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial systems.

Technology and Capabilities

Unlike infrared-guided MANPADS, the RBS 70 Bolide employs a laser beam-riding guidance system, which makes it highly resistant to flares, jamming, and electronic warfare. The missile reaches speeds exceeding Mach 2, allowing it to engage fast and maneuvering targets effectively.

The Bolide missile offers an extended engagement envelope with an operational range of up to 8–9 kilometers and an altitude coverage of approximately 5,000 meters. Its advanced proximity fuze and fragmentation warhead improve kill probability against both aerial and surface targets.

Operational Use

The system is compatible with tripod-mounted launchers, vehicle-mounted configurations, and naval platforms. It is operated by multiple NATO and partner nations, reflecting its reliability in diverse operational environments, including night and adverse weather conditions.

Saab RBS 70 Bolide Price

The estimated unit cost of the RBS 70 Bolide missile in the United States ranges between USD 1.2 million and USD 1.5 million per missile, depending on contract size, configuration, training packages, and support systems. Pricing may vary based on integration requirements and logistics support.