Air- and Surface-launched Variants with Greatly Improved Capabilities

Saab Announced the RBS15 GUNGNIR next-generation anti-ship missile system at Farnborough on 16 July, continuing the RBS15 family’s tradition of robust and autonomous all-weather capabilities, while using a design that unlocks a new level of future growth potential.

The tactical and environmental conditions of the Baltic Sea gave rise to the development and birth of the RBS15 missile family, designed for the most demanding applications. The littoral environment already offers countless threats, but conflict scenarios can change. Armed forces therefore need to evolve their capabilities and the RBS15 GUNGNIR provides the solution.

The option to engage targets from air, land or sea gives users the ability to conduct coordinated attacks, with multiple missiles, against a wide range of naval and land-based targets, thereby increasing mission flexibility and success. While the RBS15 Mk3 delivers the capabilities that forces require today, the RBS15 GUNGNIR also integrates with pre-existing RBS15 infrastructure to fulfil tomorrow’s defence requirements. The system is backwards compatible, so an investment in Mk3 today opens a smooth path to transition to GUNGNIR tomorrow.

The next-generation version of the RBS15 development and production programme was first contracted in March 2017 with the Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV), with the contract value amounting to SEK3.2 billion (€310 million), with deliveries to take place 2017-2026. Additional production of missiles was contracted with FMV in April 2017, with deliveries to begin in the mid-2020s.

The RBS15 missile family is jointly produced by Saab and Diehl Defence and serves with various navies, coastal batteries and air forces from Sweden, Finland, Germany, Poland, Croatia, Thailand and an undisclosed country.

The name GUNGNIR derives from Scandinavian mythology and refers to the Norse god Odin’s spear, which never missed its target. RBS15 GUNGNIR is the system level name; in the air-launched configuration the missile is known as RBS15 Mk4 Air.

“RBS15 GUNGNIR is offered in both air-launched and surface-launched configurations that offer greatly improved capabilities, compared to other missile systems on the market. With an improved range to more than 300km and [a] highly advanced target seeker, it gives the capability to engage any target, in all conditions,” commented Senior Vice President and Head of Saab’s Dynamics business area, Görgen Johansson.