Saab Bofors RBS 70

Man-Portable, Short-Range Air Defense System

Sweden | 1977

"The Saab Bofors RBS 70 anti-aircraft missile product ensures denial of airspace to low-flying enemy aircraft."

Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 08/18/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The RBS 70 is an all-in-one airspace deterrence weapon system that belongs to the category of "SHOrt-Range Air Defense" (SHORAD) systems further broken down as a "MAN-Portable, Air-Defense System" (MANPADS). These are shoulder-fired, battlefield solutions developed as mobile counters to low-flying / slow-flying fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. The weapon has been in service since 1977 and proven through several conflicts to date including the Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988). Bofors Defence originally handled manufacturing of the product until merged in 2000 with Saab to produce the Saab Bofors Dynamics brand label.

The weapon is similar in scope to the American FIM-92 "Stinger" and Soviet/Russian 9K38 "Igla" series MANPADs, championed through qualities such as low cost and ease-of-operation.

The complete system weighs 192lb and the launcher component carries a diameter of 106mm. The arrangement includes the support tripod assembly and the unit can be affixed to vehicles (including warships) or fired from its provided land-based stand. The missile component has a shaped-charge warhead with some 3,000 tungsten spheres ready to maximize damage to the target aircraft. The missile features a booster unit utilizing smokeless propellant and has proximity fuse detonation. It is able to reach out to aerial targets at ranges of 5.6 miles up to altitudes of 16,400 feet while flying at speeds of Mach 2. The missile is directed to the target by the laser-beam-riding process.

The RBS 70 unit is deployed by a plethora of global players ranging from Argentina and Australia to the United Arab Emirates and Venezuela. The Norwegian Army sold their stock of missile launchers to ally Lithuania.

In Swedish military service, the RBS 70 was adapted to succeed an aging line of American MIM-23 Hawk SAMs in same role (known locally as the RBS 97 or the "Swedish Hawk"). Local marks included the Mk 1 and improved, higher performance Mk 2 of 2005. The RBS 70 NG is the "Next Generation" offering which includes night vision capability as well as all-modern, improved optics.

Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.

August 2023 - The RBS70 is said to have been the weapon to bring down a Russian Ka-52 attack helicopter in the Zaporizhzhia sector as the fighting in Ukraine continues.

Performance
Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Saab Bofors RBS 70. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

26,250 ft
8,001.0 m | 8,750.0 yds
Max.Eff.Range

4
Rounds-Per-Minute
Rate-of-Fire

Physical
The physical qualities of the Saab Bofors RBS 70. Information presented is strictly for general reference and should not be misconstrued as useful for hardware restoration or operation.

1,320 mm
51.97 in
O/A Length

1,320 mm
51.97 in
Barrel Length

191.80 lb
87.00 kg
Weight

Laser-Guided
Action

106mm
Caliber(s)

Single-Shot
Feed

Integrated Optics with Night Vision
Sights

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Saab Bofors RBS 70 Man-Portable, Short-Range Air Defense System family line.

RBS 70 - Base Series Designation.

RBS 70 Mk 1 - Original production model.

RBS 70 Mk 2 - Enhanced model with improved missile performance.

RBS 70 NG ("New Generation") - Night vision support; improved optics.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Saab Bofors RBS 70. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national small arms listing.

Contractor(s): Bofors Defence / Saab Bofors Dynamics - Sweden

National flag of the United Arab Emirates

[ Argentina; Australia; Bahrain; Brazil; Chile; Czech Republic; Finland; Indonesia; Iran; Ireland; Latvia; Lithuania; Mexico; Norway (sold off to Lithuania); Pakistan; Singapore; Sweden; Thailand; Tunisia; Ukraine; United Arab Emirates; Venezuela ]

1 / 1

Image from the United States Department of Defense imagery database.

Going Further...
The Saab Bofors RBS 70 Man-Portable, Short-Range Air Defense System appears in the following collections:

Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Cookies

2024 Military Pay Scale Military Ranks of the World U.S. Department of Defense Dictionary Conversion Calculators Military Alphabet Code Military Map Symbols Breakdown U.S. 5-Star Generals List WWII Weapons by Country World War Next

The "Military Factory" name and MilitaryFactory.com logo are registered ® U.S. trademarks protected by all applicable domestic and international intellectual property laws. All written content, illustrations, and photography are unique to this website (unless where indicated) and not for reuse/reproduction in any form. Material presented throughout this website is for historical and entertainment value only and should not to be construed as usable for hardware restoration, maintenance, or general operation. We do not sell any of the items showcased on this site. Please direct all other inquiries to militaryfactory AT gmail.com. No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

Part of a network of sites that includes GlobalFirepower, a data-driven property used in ranking the top military powers of the world, WDMMA.org (World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft), WDMMW.org (World Directory of Modern Military Warships), SR71blackbird.org, detailing the history of the world's most iconic spyplane, and MilitaryRibbons.info, cataloguing military medals and ribbons. Special Interest: RailRoad Junction, the locomotive encyclopedia.

©2024 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • Content ©2003-2024 (21yrs)