The renowned Swedish defense firm Saab has just confirmed that it has received an order for the delivery of RBS 70 NG short-range air defense systems for the Argentine Armed Forces.
Long rumored, the decision of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to formalize and make public the joint procurement of the RBS 70 NG anti-aircraft system for the Army, Navy and Air Force was communicated by Lieutenant General Juan Martin Paleo, Joint Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces earlier this year.
This system is already in use in the country, since the Argentine Navy has been operating the RBS 70 since 1984. This order represents a major upgrade of Argentina’s low-level anti-aircraft capabilities with a state-of-the-art missile system.
«We hope to further strengthen the air defense of the Argentine Armed Forces. With this capability they will have the most modern short-range air defense system on the market, with undecipherable laser guidance and integrated night sight,» says Görgen Johansson, head of Saab’s Dynamics business area.
The RBS 70 NG is the latest iteration of Saab’s short-range ground-based air defense system. With this order, five countries have signed contracts for the RBS 70 NG, including the Czech Republic, Brazil and Sweden.
Although important aspects of the present contract are still unknown, such as the number of launchers and missiles purchased, it is known that the «package» acquired from Saab includes training simulators, training of operators, maintenance and storage personnel, an integrated logistic support (spare parts and tools), manuals translated into Spanish, simulator-trainers and accessories such as all-weather sights, camouflage nets and other minor items. As well as a permanently open liaison line to meet future needs or adjustments required both technical and operational as part of the warranty and other contributions included in the offset.
It would also be essential to know with which radar systems the new RBS 70 launchers will be integrated. Saab has different equipment for air detection at medium and short distances in its portfolio, such as the Giraffe AMB or the Giraffe 1X, which were surely offered to Argentina.
Another possibility would be to go for the local option, since INVAP, an Argentine high-tech company, offers the RMF-200V, an AESA tactical air defense radar for threat detection at medium and short distances, which could form the core of a low-altitude anti-air battery, together with the Saab’s launchers.
