Saab contracted for work on new Swedish anti-ship missile system

Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) has contracted Saab for the development and production of the country’s next generation anti-ship missile system.

According to the company, the total order value amounts to SEK3.2 billion (approx. US$358M) and deliveries will take place during the period 2017-2026.

The signed contract is a development programme of an anti-ship missile system in both air-launched and ship-launched configurations.

The system will be integrated on the new Gripen E fighters and in the Visby class corvettes.

“These next generation missiles will provide the Swedish Air Force and the Royal Swedish Navy with greatly improved capabilities, compared to other missiles on the market. They will have the capability to engage any target, in all conditions,” says Håkan Buskhe, President and CEO of Saab.

Saab said the missile system has an improved combat range, an upgraded target seeker, and a lower mass compared to the earlier system.

The new system is an upgrade of Saab’s anti-ship RBS15 missile family which is jointly produced by Saab and Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG.

“Diehl is proud to continue its participation in the RBS15 success story with our missile know-how and proven expertise. This joint programme will strengthen the position of both companies as world leaders in anti-ship missile technology, being the first to introduce a next generation missile to the market,” said Claus Günther, CEO of Diehl Defence GmbH & Co. KG.