Canada joins the RBS 70 club
Canada has become the latest country to buy RBS 70 and will see service with Canadian forces in Latvia. (Photo: Saab)
The RBS 70 was developed in the 1970s to meet the Swedish Army’s requirement for a low-cost, easy-to-use MANPADS which could function in extreme climatic conditions. In 2011, Saab unveiled the RBS 70 Next Generation (NG), the first weapon of its type to employ laser beam-riding guidance.
Canada has become the latest operator of the Saab RBS 70 short-range air defence system after placing a CAD227 million contract for RBS 70 NG systems. Deliveries are expected to start this year.
The order will include support equipment to operate the RBS 70 NG, including firing units, missiles, transport vehicles, training and support, and followed a competition to meet the urgent operational requirement for Canada’s Soldier Portable Air Defence System Program.
Saab will provide long-term air defence support to the Canadian Armed Forces, with a specific focus on its Enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia.
RBS 70 NG operators include Brazil, the Czech Republic and Latvia, while older systems have been in use with more than 20 countries including Norway, Pakistan and Argentina.
There has been high demand for the system in the past few years including an order from Sweden just last month for the Mobile Short-Range Air Defence (MSHORAD) solution which included the RBS 70 NG Remote Weapon System. In December 2023, NATO ordered 1,000 more RBS 70 missiles.
Additionally, two years ago, the Armed Forces of the Argentine Republic ordered additional RBS 70 NG short-range MANPADS units and Lithuania ordered more missiles.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![AUSA 2025: BAE Systems delivers more than 500 AMPVs to the US Army]()
AUSA 2025: BAE Systems delivers more than 500 AMPVs to the US Army
The US Army requires 2,907 Armored Multi-Purpose Vehicles to replace its M113 family, and there are multiple versions in production.
-
![AUSA 2025: AM General Hawkeye awaits first production contract]()
AUSA 2025: AM General Hawkeye awaits first production contract
AM General presented its new Hawkeye at AUSA 2025 in Washington, with prototypes of the howitzer system having been trialled in Ukraine last year.
-
![AUSA 2025: Lionstrike lays out plans for British Army vehicle bid as competitors get ready]()
AUSA 2025: Lionstrike lays out plans for British Army vehicle bid as competitors get ready
In September 2025, BAE Systems announced that it was joining GM Defense and NP Aerospace to form Team Lionstrike. The team will be offering a version of GM Defense’s infantry support vehicle which is based on the commercial Colorado vehicle.
-
![AUSA 2025: KNDS France to bid for US Army requirement]()
AUSA 2025: KNDS France to bid for US Army requirement
The CAESAR Mk II, which was debuted internationally at Eurosatory last year, is a step up from the first model which has seen combat in Ukraine and the Middle East.
-
![AUSA 2025: IAI reveals robotic route clearance system]()
AUSA 2025: IAI reveals robotic route clearance system
The Elta 6631 has been developed using the experience of the Israel Defense Forces in route proving, and can be customised for various customers and circumstances.
