Missile RBS-15

The RBS-15 is a fire-and-forget anti-ship missile system designed for surface-to-surface and air-to-surface roles. Development began in the late 1970s as an evolution of the RB 04 missile. The project was initiated to equip light naval forces, such as fast attack craft, with a containerized weapon system following a transition away from heavier destroyer-based platforms. The first version entered naval service in 1984, followed by coastal defense and air-launched variants in subsequent years.

The missile is powered by a turbojet engine and travels at subsonic speeds. It utilizes a sea-skimming flight profile to minimize radar detection. Guidance is provided by an inertial navigation system and terminal active radar homing in the J-band. Later versions integrated GPS and added land-attack capabilities. The warhead is a high-explosive blast and pre-fragmented type featuring impact or proximity detonation. Recent iterations include warheads with increased penetration and insensitive munitions qualification. The system is designed for all-weather operations and employs a modular architecture to facilitate future hardware and software upgrades.

The system is operated by several countries across multiple platforms. In Sweden, it is deployed on corvettes and fighter aircraft, and it forms the basis of truck-mounted coastal defense batteries. Finland operates the missile on missile boats and mobile land launchers. Germany and Poland have integrated the system into their respective corvette and fast attack craft fleets. The missile is also utilized by the Algerian National Navy on frigates and by the Royal Thai Air Force on fighter aircraft. Croatia operates units captured during the Croatian War of Independence, maintaining them through subsequent overhaul programs. The system has been used in various live-fire naval exercises to engage maritime targets. Bulgaria has also selected the missile for its future naval vessels.