The Ukrainian Navy released a video showing the launch of a Swedish-made RBS 15 (Robotsystem 15) anti-ship cruise missile from a mobile launcher against Russian targets, as per NavalNews.
Previously, the RBS 15 missile was announced as part of Sweden’s military aid in 2022, but no prior operational use had been visually confirmed.
Expanding anti-ship arsenal: RBS 15 complements the Neptune system
This strike significantly expands Ukraine’s anti-ship inventory beyond the R-360 Neptune system, which had already been used in previous battles, Army Recognition reports.
Anti-ship missiles like the RBS 15 are designed to strike surface vessels and are classified as cruise missiles with autonomous navigation after launch. Once targeting data is received, the missile follows a pre-programmed route using inertial navigation with satellite corrections.
Precision and technology: low-altitude profile and active homing
During the terminal phase, active radar homing allows the missile to correct its trajectory precisely. Its sea-skimming flight at 2–10 meters above water reduces detection and reaction time for the enemy.
It is currently unclear when the missiles were supplied and by whom, as Finland, Sweden, Germany, Croatia, and Poland use the RBS 15 in different variants. Launchers may be truck-mounted, as in Finland, Croatia, and Sweden.
The missile seen in the video is suspected to be an RBS 15 variant due to the double exhaust trail during the boost phase, a feature not known to exist on any other Ukrainian long-range cruise missile.
Additionally, the truck’s appearance, cab shape, and silhouette closely resemble the RBS 15 launcher based on a Finnish Sisu truck chassis, although the video quality is too low to confirm this.
From Saab Bofors Dynamics to strikes on Russian targets
The RBS 15 was developed by Saab Bofors Dynamics in the late 1970s and entered service in the mid-1980s.
- Length: 4.35 m
- Diameter: 50 cm
- Wingspan: 1.4 m
- Launch weight: 650–800 kg
- Warhead: 200 kg high-explosive fragmentation
- Speed: ~0.9 Mach (1,111 km/h)
- Guidance: inertial navigation + GPS correction + active radar homing
Its low flight over water reduces the chance of detection and increases target strike efficiency.
