The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (Swedish: Försvarets materielverk, FMV) has recently delivered new mobile platforms to the Swedish Armed Forces (Försvarsmakten), enhancing Sweden’s coastal defence capabilities. These platforms are equipped with Saab’s RBS 15 Mk2 anti-ship missiles, representing a significant boost in military readiness and strategic flexibility. The mobile nature of these new platforms is a crucial upgrade, providing the Swedish Armed Forces with enhanced deployment flexibility for the RBS 15 Mk2 system. FMV project leader Anders Brunander emphasized the importance of this development in light of rapid global changes.
The FMV’s recent delivery also paves the way for the future integration of the RBS 15 Mk4 missile, a next-generation system that promises further advancements in both anti-ship and land-attack capabilities. The Mk4 variant is expected to offer an extended range, enhanced targeting precision, and advanced electronic countermeasures, ensuring that Sweden’s defence technology remains at the forefront of modern warfare. This strategic enhancement underscores Sweden’s commitment to maintaining robust coastal defence and adapting to the rapidly changing global security landscape.
Anders Brunander noted that the Swedish Armed Forces now have the opportunity to test these newly delivered units and provide valuable feedback for the next-generation systems already on order. “These units of the heavy coastal missile platform create an expanded capability that is in demand due to the fast changes in the world. Now there is an opportunity for the Armed Forces to try out the delivered units and give feedback with improvements to the next generation, which is already on order,” Brunander stated.
The RBS 15 (Robotsystem 15) is a long-range, fire-and-forget anti-ship missile system that has seen significant evolution since its inception in the late 1970s. The RBS 15 Mk2, introduced in the early 1990s, boasts an extended range of up to 200 kilometers, advanced guidance systems, and sea-skimming capabilities designed to evade enemy radar. RBS 15 Mk. II is designed to be launched from a number of different platforms, such as land-based launchers, aircraft, and ships. The Swedish Coastal Artillery was 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 system was reintroduced to service in 2016, now belonging to the Third and Fourth Naval Warfare Flotillas
