Saab has received an order for RBS 70 BOLIDE missiles from Irish Defence Forces, the total order value is approximately €5.8 million and deliveries will take place in 2019-2022.

The firm say in a release that Ireland has been a RBS 70 customer for more than 30 years; this order contains the BOLIDE missile, which is latest missile available for the RBS 70 system.

“With this order Ireland continues to improve their air defence capability. The BOLIDE missile is our most advanced RBS 70 missile yet, with a top speed of Mach 2 and an effective range for up to 9000 meters, it provides excellent protection for their forces and a deterrent to opponents”, says Görgen Johansson, Head of Saab business area Dynamics.

BOLIDE was introduced to the RBS 70. The BOLIDE missile is an RBS 70 Mk 2 upgrade that is faster (Mach 2 vs Mach 1.6), with a range up to 8km (5.0mi) and can reach an altitude of 5 km. Deliveries were initiated in 2005.