Argentina Orders RBS 70 NG Short Range Defense System

Argentina orders Swedish Saab’s RBS 70 NG short-range defense (SHORAD) system.

Saab had announced in late September that it had procured a $44 million order for the RBS 70 SHORAD without disclosing the customer. IHS Janes reported quoting unnamed sources close to the Argentine Ministry of Defense Thursday.

The Argentine Navy Marine Infantry has had RBS 70 launchers since 1990s and procured new Bolide (an upgraded, faster version of the Mk 2) missiles a few years ago, and current plans are meant to standardise all three military services with the more advanced RBS 70 NG, the news daily reported.

The RBS 70 weapon system has been in service in Australia since 1987. Significant enhancements to both the weapon sight and the missile have ensured that it remains a modern and potent missile system to counter a constantly evolving air threat.

According to the sources, a key consideration in favour of procuring the RBS 70, under study since 2013, is Argentina's lack of aircraft for air defence and interception after the last Mirage aircraft were retired in 2015.