Breaking News
Sweden Restores Its Coastal Defense Capability with a New RBS15 Missiles Battalion Armed.
Amid a shifting regional security landscape, Sweden has officially strengthened its coastal defense capabilities with the establishment of the 32nd Coastal Missile Battalion (32. kustrobotdivisionen). A formal ceremony held on March 4 in Karlskrona marked the activation of this unit, symbolized by the presentation of its official standard. This initiative aligns with a strategic objective to restore a capability that was significantly reduced in the 1990s due to budget cuts following the end of the Cold War. The reintroduction of coastal defense assets responds to evolving geopolitical dynamics, particularly the increasing tensions in the Baltic Sea region and the reinforcement of a deterrence posture against potential threats.
Designed for operations in both littoral and open-sea environments, the Saab RBS15 Mk II anti-ship missile can be launched from air, land, and naval platforms (Picture source: Sweden MoD)
The new battalion is integrated into the 3rd Naval Warfare Flotilla (Tredje sjöstridsflottiljen), enhancing Sweden’s maritime security. Its arsenal is based on the Saab RBS15 Mk II anti-ship missile, a precision-guided system designed for long-range engagement of maritime threats. The decision to reestablish this defense capability was made in 2016 in response to rising security concerns in the Baltic region. To reactivate its coastal missile unit, Sweden opted for a strategy that combines modernization with the reuse of existing resources. Components were retrieved from decommissioned coastal missile batteries, as well as from retired Stockholm-class and Göteborg-class vessels, allowing for a cost-effective and efficient reintroduction. This pragmatic approach demonstrates Sweden’s ability to repurpose existing equipment while ensuring its modernization, reducing both reactivation time and associated costs.
The RBS15 Gungnir is a next-generation anti-ship missile developed by Saab in cooperation with Diehl Defence. Designed for operations in both littoral and open-sea environments, it can be launched from air, land, and naval platforms. With a range exceeding 300 km and a subsonic speed of 0.9 Mach, it features an advanced guidance system that integrates an active radar seeker in the J-band, an anti-jamming GPS, and a data link allowing for in-flight retargeting. Its 200 kg warhead is designed to engage a wide variety of targets, including heavily protected warships. The missile also incorporates advanced stealth features, reducing its radar signature and enhancing its survivability against modern defense systems.
Its modular architecture facilitates integration across multiple platforms, including Visby-class corvettes and JAS 39 Gripen fighters of the Swedish Armed Forces. It is powered by a turbojet engine, with booster-assisted propulsion for land- and sea-based variants. Production of the RBS15 Mk4 began following a $358.5 million contract awarded by the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) in 2017. It is currently in service or being delivered to several armed forces, including those of Sweden, Germany, Finland, and Poland. The RBS15 Gungnir introduces significant improvements in range, precision, and resistance to electronic countermeasures.
The RBS15 Mk II remains the core of Sweden’s coastal missile defense. Already integrated into Visby-class corvettes, upgraded Gävle-class frigates, and in its air-launched RB15F version for JAS 39 Gripen fighters, this missile provides advanced capabilities for countering maritime threats. With a long operational range and sophisticated guidance systems, it is designed to withstand electronic countermeasures, ensuring effectiveness in modern conflict scenarios. The system's modernization has included extensive testing, including a successful live-fire exercise, demonstrating reliability and performance.
Sweden had already initiated the restoration of its coastal missile unit in 2016, when a test unit participated in the "Swenex" naval exercise. It operated in strategic areas between Södertörn and Västervik, as well as around the island of Gotland, confirming the relevance of such a capability within Sweden’s defense posture. With the activation of the 32nd Coastal Missile Battalion, Sweden significantly enhances its maritime defense, reinforcing a more robust coastal security strategy in the Baltic region.