On 23 December 2024, Saab announced that it had signed a contract with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) for the modernisation of Sweden’s coastal anti-ship missile capability.
The total value of the order is SEK 800 million, with deliveries set to begin in 2026. The majority of the order was booked in the third quarter of 2024.
The contract involves the integration of Saab’s RBS15 Mk3 anti-ship missile onto a launcher module installed on a truck, replacing the current RBS15 Mk2 system in use. Saab’s RBS15 Mk3 is an upgrade that will enhance Sweden’s coastal defences, which were reintroduced to the Swedish Armed Forces in 2016.
Görgen Johansson, Head of Saab’s business area Dynamics, stated, “Sweden will receive a significant capability increase with an anti-ship missile featuring a more advanced target seeker, increased range and a larger warhead. RBS15 is specifically developed for the complex environment and harsh weather conditions of the Baltic Sea.”
The RBS15 Mk3 missile boasts a range of over 200 km and is designed for use against naval targets, with the flexibility to be launched from both ships and trucks.
Developed and produced by Saab in partnership with Diehl Defence of Germany, the system is set to strengthen Sweden’s coastal defences in the coming years.
I think we retired the RAs coastal artillery in 1958 or 1959. Time for a re-think?
yes I’ve long believed that the the u.k should have systems around what would be obvious targets like the capital, Clyde Portsmouth naval bases and catterick expensive tees, but needs must. a type 45 on the Thames is one option, if we bloody had one to do it land ceptor sky Sabres well placed, would be a step Change from the current situation.
Wait just a bit what about Blackpool I live here.
Sweden’s needs are very different to ours, the Baltic is basically a big lake with Russia on one side, so the Swedish coastline (especially Gotland) is inherently never very far away from from the Russian Navy.
Our geography is different, if an enemy warship was allowed to get within 200km of a naval base somebody would have screwed up royally. We need to focus on longer range, air launched options.
It’s the same reason that we don’t have Corvettes (the Visby class is very cool though) and Sweden doesn’t have SSNs, one Astute in the North Sea would effectively stop the entire Russian Baltic fleet but it’s harder to operate such a large sub in a relatively small sea.
Absolutely. Merry Christmas.
One might consider that is what the air force is for.
Then consider Q1, ‘Does RAF has enough planes to guarantee all those taskings?
Then the Q2, ‘is it cheaper to buy more planes and train more pilots and have more munitions stockpiles than to buy some missile systems for key areas?’
As the answer to Q2 is almost certainly no. Assuming we don’t try and build the ‘Christmas Pudding Dome’ using the Fortnum’s giant panatone to elevate the recipe….:)
Tes,If only we had some modern air-launched Anti Ship missiles.
**Yes**
I wonder how much the USMC NEMESIS batteries cost. Might as well stick with NSM for medium-range anti-ship, even though NSM itself is a pricey beast. A couple of those parked on Beachy Head and we might be less worried about unaccompanied Russian ships in the Channel.
I don’t think we are that worried about Russian ships in the channel TBH. If they tried anything they would be toast and they know it.
We are more concerned about Russian subs [which are pretty good] and their missiles [less good but still an issue] and the Russian junk Air Force with their many dubious quality missiles.
Good point, Jon, about Beachy Head. We need to protect Eastbourne and the ‘Costa Geriatrica’ where all the wrinklies live – including Hailsham (my town).
Merry Christmas!
Interesting fact if you cut down beachy head you would make a significant impact on suicide deaths in sussex.
I suggest given the new light deployment ideas around the Royal Marines that some form of missile based system that can be deployed with the RM now makes alot of sense. The USMC is investing heavily in this. It would make our Commando units a much more strategic threat. However this can probably be accomplished by PRSM but NSM launch capability would be a nice to have and would complement what the Australian army is doing.
Such weapons would only be useful in a conflict with China, it’s unlikely any Russian surface vessels would make it out of port much less the North Sea in a conflict with NATO.
For the UK if we invest in any ground based missile defences it needs to be SAM/ABM systems and any anti ship missile buy would simply best be Marte ER for the typhoons.
I don’t see ground based ASM as being an urgent UK requirement.
Now if we are talking fast jet ASM, then yes.
You would think our QRA Typhoon would be cleared for Harpoon considering Russian ships transiting international water cause the RN to scramble assets.
But no. Even the Boeing MPA’s don’t carry an AShM eithter FWIW.
P8 can carry Harpoon – look at Wiki or Boeing’s P8 pages.
Harpoon is in the joint stockpile.
Whether UK P8 do actually go aloft with Harpoon is a separate question.
Yes. But ours aren’t cleared for it. Just like USMC F35 can carry all manner of ordnance.
That is if we still have any Harpoon.
And BTW Typhoon is cleared for Harpoon too, look it up on the internet.
I bet the blood rushed to your head with excitement ready to parade some of your knowledge on the web for all to see.
Can you give a reference, as far as I’m aware they only ever did wind tunnel work on harpoon for typhoon.
Typhoon can’t fire Harpoon, BAE did some wind tunnel test in 2013 as part of a Saudi requirement but it never went any further, Marte ER is the only anti ship missile available now for typhoon.
Yes I honestly don’t understand why the don’t buy Marte ER for typhoon. I suspect it’s the RAF Simply not wanting to spend any more of its budget on maritime security.
Holding out for FC/ASW?
Presumably both variants will be available for air launch, though it is rapidly becoming unclear whether the subsonic one will do VLS launch.
It a long old wait..five years + if we are luckly.
Probably the same reason why the RN didn’t Marte ER for the Merlin.
Because they are cheap.
There is almost no surface threat near the UK that the RAF would have to deal with. Anti ship missiles require dedicated squadrons often trained in their employment. It’s a weapon we have never used in 50 years and it would mean pulling our small Typhoon fleet from more important air defence roles.
Attack helicopter mounted missiles like Sea Venom have been used frequently by the UK so the focus has been on them.
Holding out for FC/ASW?
Presumably both variants will be available for air launch, though it is rapidly becoming unclear whether the subsonic one will do VLS launch.
Oops, double post.
I wish the new system didn’t do that.
In other Scandi news Denmark have announced to be increasing defence spending for Greenland by £1.2b. Procurements are going to include 2 new inspection ships, 2 new long ranged drones and 2 new dog sled teams. They might also upgrade one of Greenlands airports to be able to hand F-35.
Source BBC News.
I understand the Donald wants to buy Greenland?
And also invade Panama.
Or buy the Panama Canal and invade Greenland..who can be sure..But it sounds like President trump is becoming a bit expansionist.
Now they have to defend it against the USA that’s threatening to annex it along with Panama and Canada.
The USA is very rapidly loosing any morale authority to stop China retaking Taiwan or indeed criticising Russia over its incursions into former Soviet territory.
Not sure what happened to America, it’s certainly not the same country that fought in WW2 and right through the Cold War to ensure peace and freedom very sad day for us all.
Oh Hell Yes. Afterall the Baltic is now a NATO apart from StPs and that pissant Kaling. that we should just seize as a “special military operation”.
Kaliningrad is already tying to break away from Russia. First day of a war they would rebel and invite NATO in.