Saab has secured a $326 million missile contract from Lithuania to deliver additional Bolide short-range air defense missiles, reinforcing the country’s layered air defense network. The missiles will be integrated with the RBS 70 NG air defense system, a key component of Lithuania’s ground-based air defense forces.
The 3-billion-krona order falls under a long-term framework agreement between Saab, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, and Lithuania’s defense ministry. Missile deliveries are planned over a multi-year period from 2028 through 2032, ensuring sustained operational availability.
Lithuania has relied on the RBS 70 system since 2004 to defend against low-altitude aerial threats, including helicopters, cruise missiles, and drones. The transition from legacy Mk 1 and Mk 2 missiles to the Bolide interceptor under the RBS 70 NG has significantly improved engagement range, speed, and hit probability.
Recent acquisitions highlight Vilnius’ focus on modern air defense. Alongside missile purchases in 2024 and 2025, Lithuania ordered Saab’s MSHORAD solution, pairing the RBS 70 NG with the Giraffe 1X radar on mobile JLTV platforms. The Bolide missile, capable of reaching Mach 2 and guided by a laser beam-riding system resistant to electronic jamming, provides precise and reliable defense against modern aerial threats.
