Latvia has secured a 2.1 billion Swedish kronor ($210 million) defense deal with Swedish arms manufacturer Saab for the RBS 70 NG short-range air defense system.
According to a statement released by the company, the order includes firing units, missiles, and training systems.
“Saab continues to support the Latvian National Armed Forces with a strong ground-based air defence capability,” Görgen Johansson, head of Saab’s business area Dynamics, said.
The RBS 70 NG is a man-portable air defense system, guided by a laser beam, which makes it resistant to jamming. It can strike targets at distances up to 9 kilometers and altitudes above 5,000 meters. The system also includes automatic target tracking and thermal imaging for night use.
Latvia has operated earlier versions of the RBS 70 since 2004. The upgrade comes as part of a larger push to modernize its military amid continued Russian threats.
NATO jets scrambled over 150 times in 2023 to intercept Russian aircraft near Baltic airspace. In early 2025, a suspected Russian drone entered Latvian airspace, prompting a sharp response from officials.
In response, Latvia increased defense spending to 2.4% of GDP in 2024, above NATO’s 2% target. It has also restarted conscription and signed other major equipment deals, including a $387 million purchase of infantry vehicles from General Dynamics.
The RBS 70 NG is already being used by 19 countries, including Canada, Lithuania, and Ukraine. Deliveries of the RBS 70 NG short-range air defense system to Latvia will take place from 2026 to 2030, according to Saab.
