Military OrdnanceNaval Warfare

Swedish Armed Forces RBS-15 Anti-Ship Missile

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The Swedish Navy operates the missiles from its Stockholm, Göteborg and Visby class corvettes. The Swedish Coastal Artillery was also equipped with RBS-15Ms, which were mounted on Scania trucks. Four missile batteries were planned, but in the end only one battery was ever ordered serving from 1995 to 2000 when the coastal artillery was disbanded. The vehicles in the battery where then scattered. However, in November 2016 it was announced that a secret number of missile trucks had been gathered and reactivated under Swedish Navy control. The Swedish Air Force operates the RBS-15F. The AJS 37 Viggen and the JAS 39 Gripen could carry the missile, with the Viggen no longer in service.

Swedish Armed Forces RBS-15 Anti-Ship Missile
Swedish Armed Forces RBS-15 Anti-Ship Missile

The RBS-15 (Robotsystem 15) is a long-range fire-and-forget surface-to-surface and air-to-surface, anti-ship missile. The later version Mk. III has the ability to attack land targets as well. The missile was developed by the Swedish company Saab Bofors Dynamics. The missile was developed from the RB 04 missile that was used by the Swedish air force. The front of the missile was retained, including the warhead, but the rear received new wings and a turbofan engine replaced the rocket previously used. The RBS-15 underwent trials on the missile FAC HMS Piteå from 1983 and became operational with the Swedish Navy in 1985.

Swedish Armed Forces RBS-15 Anti-Ship Missile
Swedish Armed Forces RBS-15 Anti-Ship Missile

In March 2017 Saab received an order for RB-15 Mk. III+ and RB 15 F-ER anti-ship missile to replace the RBS-15. The order is valued at 3.2 billion SEK and deliveries will take place between 2017–26. The new missile will have better range, a better seeker and lower weight. It will have the ability to knock out a wide range of sea and land targets, all-weather capability and a design that allows for future upgrades. To be carried by Visby-class corvettes and JAS Gripen E. Will be delivered between 2017-2026 and fully operational in the mid 2020s. Gungnir is the newest addition to the RBS15 family, utilising the RBS15 Mk4 missile.

Swedish Armed Forces RBS-15 Anti-Ship Missile
Swedish Armed Forces RBS-15 Anti-Ship Missile
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