According to information published by the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense on May 27, 2025, the Lithuanian Armed Forces have received a new batch of Bolide missiles produced in Sweden to equip their RBS 70 man-portable air defense systems. This delivery is part of a broader military modernization program, initiated with the re-establishment of the national division, aimed at strengthening the country’s defensive capabilities in response to increasingly sophisticated aerial threats.
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The Bolide missile, introduced in 2003 by Saab Bofors Dynamics, is a fourth-generation RBS 70 upgrade designed to counter diverse aerial threats with high precision, reaching Mach 2, a 9 km range, and 5,000 m altitude using laser beam-riding guidance resistant to electronic countermeasures. (Picture source: Saab)
The delivered munitions are intended for the portable version of the RBS 70 system already in service with the Lithuanian Air Defense Battalion. The cost of this batch amounts to 2 million euros. This reinforcement comes in a regional context marked by persistent security instability and reflects operational lessons learned from the war in Ukraine, which has demonstrated the critical importance of responsive and resilient air defense. Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė emphasized that the missiles are designed to function effectively in environments subject to high levels of electronic interference, due to their resistance to both mechanical and electromagnetic jamming.
The Bolide missile is the most recent development in the RBS 70 Mk 2 family, designed by Saab Bofors Dynamics. Entering service in 2003, this fourth-generation missile is optimized to counter a wide range of aerial threats, including low-flying aircraft, helicopters, reconnaissance drones, and loitering munitions. It can reach speeds up to Mach 2 and engage targets at distances up to 9 kilometers and altitudes of up to 5,000 meters. Its laser beam-riding guidance system ensures high precision while maintaining immunity to electronic countermeasures. The 1.1 kg warhead combines a shaped charge and 3,000 tungsten spheres and is equipped with an adaptive proximity fuze offering three detonation modes. The missile is deployed on a tripod or mobile platforms such as the ASRAD-R, ensuring flexible use under various operational conditions, both day and night.
This delivery is part of a broader contract signed in autumn 2022 between the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense and Saab Dynamics AB for the supply of Bolide and MK-2 guided missiles for RBS 70 systems. The total value of this missile contract is approximately 34 million euros. In parallel, in July 2024, Lithuania signed a second agreement with the same company for the procurement of complete RBS 70 NG mobile systems. Valued at around 147 million euros, this program includes delivery phases scheduled from 2025 to 2027. It covers mobile launcher units and advanced capabilities such as automatic target tracking and thermal imaging.
The integration of Bolide missiles aligns with a strategic objective to enhance Lithuania’s close-range air defense capabilities in a geopolitical environment influenced by the proximity of Russia and the heavily militarized Kaliningrad enclave. These laser-guided systems are considered well-suited to protect critical infrastructure, logistical nodes, and deployed units. Their use in complex tactical environments such as the forests and urban areas of the Baltic region is supported by their mobility, low signature, and interoperability with NATO standards. The experience gained from Ukraine, where RBS 70 systems have reportedly been effective against helicopters and drones, further supports the relevance of this capability investment.
By incorporating these missiles into its defense posture, Lithuania aims not only to deter potential violations of its airspace but also to contribute to NATO’s integrated air defense architecture. This acquisition represents a significant step toward building a modular, interoperable defense network capable of addressing modern threat scenarios.