Why in news?
Swedish firm Saab recently showcased the RBS-15 missile's capabilities in a promotional video, highlighting its potential to neutralize Russian S-400 air defense components.
About
The RBS-15 (Robotsystem 15) is a Swedish long-range, fire-and-forget anti-ship and land-attack missile developed by Saab Bofors Dynamics and Diehl Defence. It is launchable from ships, aircraft, and land-based platforms, with modern variants like the RBS-15 Mk3 and Mk4 Gungnir offering ranges of 200–300+ km, advanced radar seekers, and powerful 200 kg warheads.
Key Features of the RBS-15
- Type: Surface-to-surface, air-to-surface, anti-ship, and land-attack missile
- Origin: Sweden, in service since 1984
- Launch Platforms: Ships, trucks, aircraft
- Range:
- Mk I/II: >70 km
- Mk III: >200 km
- Mk IV (Gungnir): >300 km
- Speed: Subsonic (~0.9 Mach, ~1111 km/h)
- Warhead: ~200 kg high-explosive blast and fragmentation
- Guidance: Inertial navigation, GPS, and active radar homing
- Trajectory: Programmable 3D waypoints for flexible attack paths
- Service Life: Designed for ~30 years
Strategic Importance
- Sea-skimming flight profile makes it hard to detect and intercept.
- Multi-role capability allows strikes against both naval and land targets.
- Flexible deployment from air, land, and sea ensures adaptability in modern warfare.
- Operators: Sweden, Germany, Poland, Croatia, Finland, and others.
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