The Latvian and Lithuanian air forces have successfully test-fired Saab's RBS 70 NG during the air defence exercise, Baltic Zenith 2016.

Developed for air defence combat situations, the RBS 70 NG VSHORAD missile system offers fully integrated 24/7 all-target capability.

The RBS 70 NG comes with an integrated high-resolution thermal imager for 24/7 capability and a built-in video that records for after-action review.

Its advanced cueing improves reaction times and target acquisition, while the auto-tracker assists the gunner during engagement, thus increasing the hit probability.

The system's improved guidance is said to increase its performance for both manual and auto-tracker engagements.

Saab Missile Systems marketing and sales head Michael Höglund said: "We had a very good week together with Latvia and Lithuania, two very important customers for Saab.

"The operators were able to successfully hit the flying targets and after only a few hours of training with the new RBS 70 NG, they could engage the targets with full effect.

"The operators were able to successfully hit the flying targets and after only a few hours of training with the new RBS 70 NG, they could engage the targets with full effect."

"This is strong proof of the system and how easy it is to operate.

"We will now continue our support to the armed forces of Latvia and Lithuania."

The exercise held in Škede, Latvia also included testing of earlier generation RBS 70 systems.

Nearly 90 soldiers and national guards from Latvia's Air Defence Wing of Air Force Aviation Base and 17th Air Defence Battalion of the National Guard, as well as soldiers of the Air Defence Unit of Lithuanian Armed Forces participated in the exercise.

Image: Saab's RBS 70 NG being test-fired. Photo: courtesy of Saab AB.