Image: SAAB
Swedish defence giant Saab has launched the Bolide 2 missile, a next-generation round designed to enhance the lethality and adaptability of its RBS 70 short-range air defence system.
The new missile features a larger warhead and improved terminal flight performance over its predecessor. Saab has also incorporated a modular design, allowing future upgrades as threat environments evolve.
Critically, Bolide 2 retains the unjammable laser beam-riding guidance method that defines the RBS 70 family. This guidance technology, resistant to electronic countermeasures, has long distinguished the system from rivals in the SHORAD market.
According to Saab, deliveries will begin in 2027, at which point Bolide 2 becomes the standard ammunition for the RBS 70 NG platform. The missile is also compatible with earlier RBS 70 generations, broadening its appeal to existing operators.
Stefan Öberg, head of Saab’s Missile Systems business unit, said the new round prepares customers for emerging aerial threats. He noted that operators will benefit from a more powerful warhead, “whether they are operating in the man-portable role or, as is increasingly common, from a vehicle firing unit.”
The vehicle-mounted dimension reflects a broader trend across NATO and partner militaries, who are increasingly integrating SHORAD systems onto mobile platforms for greater battlefield flexibility.
Saab confirmed that a series of successful test firings have already taken place during development, a positive indicator ahead of the 2027 production timeline.
The RBS 70 system is in service with over 20 countries, making Bolide 2 a significant upgrade across a wide international user base.
You can read more on SAAB’s website
