Maintenance for Polish Navy´s

Saab has received an order from Stocznia Marynarki Wojennej (SMW), or Naval Shipyard Gdynia (NSG), Poland, for the maintenance and logistic support of the Polish Navy’s RBS15 Mk3 surface-to-surface missile system with deliveries taking place 2017-2018.

Contracted in 2006, the RBS15 Mk3 is in service on-board the Polish Navy’s ORKAN-class fast attack craft. Included in the contract is scheduled maintenance of the missile system and additional training and toolsets.

“The RBS15 Mk3 is a world leading surface-to-surface missile system providing excellent performance in all weathers,” Michael Höglund, Head of Marketing and Sales at Saab Dynamics Missile Systems, explained. “It is a vital part of the ship-borne Polish Navy offensive capability and we are happy to assist the Naval Port Gdynia in their professional work ensuring the readiness and availability of this versatile and powerful missile system.” 

The RBS15 Mk3 is one of the most modern surface-to-surface missile system available on the market. As a long-range system, and as one of the main anti-surface armaments for any type of naval vessel, it is designed to operate in a diverse range of scenarios, from anti-ship engagement in blue to littoral waters, as well as land attack missions. The RBS15 Mk3 allows for true fire-and-forget operability in all weather conditions, thanks to its advanced pre-launch programmable active radar seeker. The missile is jointly produced and marketed by Saab and Diehl Defence and is based on RBS15 Mk2 which has proved its worth with the Swedish and other navies.

Diehl Defence has already delivered the weapon for the German Navy’s new K130 corvette (official handover of the RBS15 Mk3 anti-ship missile to the German Navy took place in September 2011). A special feature of the German-Swedish missile is its ability to precisely engage land targets as well. Due to its missile can track targets in low-level flight directly above the water surface and fly around or over islands at distances up to and far beyond 200 kilometres. It is extremely resistant to electronic countermeasures and charactersed by high robustness against air defence sites employing guided and tube weapons, for instance, by unexpected evasive maneuvers during terminal approach.

The RBS15 Mk3 missile is also offered as an air-to-ship version for modern fighter aircraft and as ground-based variant for coastal defence. Subsequent to the successful operational test in 2015, the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) provided clearance for employment of the missile against naval targets. In June 2016, the BAAINBw approved the missile´s use against land targets as well.

On 3 April, Saab has signed a contract with the Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV) for the development and production of the next generation anti-ship missile system, combining proven capabilities the anti-ship RBS15 missile family with new and enhanced capabilities. The total order value amounts to SEK3.2 billion and deliveries will take place during the period 2017-2026. The contract signed is a development programme of an anti-ship missile system in both air-launched and ship-launched configurations. The next generation anti-ship missile system will be integrated on the new GRIPEN E fighters and in the VISBYclass 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,” Håkan Buskhe, President and CEO of Saab, explained. “They will have the capability to engage any target, in all conditions.”

“Diehl is proud to continue its participation in the RBS15 success story with our missile know-how and proven expertise,” Claus Günther, CEO of Diehl Defence, concluded. “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.”

The RBS15 is a missile system that has been used by navies, coastal batteries and air forces for almost 30 years. The missile system can defeat advanced threats and has a long range.