Saab has received an order worth 1.8 billion Swedish kronor ($189 million) from the Czech Republic for its Mobile Short-Range Air Defense (MSHORAD) system.
Deliveries are scheduled between 2028 and 2030.
The order encompasses mobile firing units based on the RBS 70 NG short-range missile system and Bolide missiles, which are integrated onto the MARS S-330 vehicle manufactured by the Czech company SVOS.
The system will also include a command-and-control system co-delivered by Saab and a Czech partner, along with an existing third-party radar used by the Czech Armed Forces.
MSHORAD
Saab’s MSHORAD system integrates a Giraffe 1X radar, a command-and-control communication platform, and the RBS 70 NG Remote Weapon Station equipped with Bolide missiles.
Mounted on a highly mobile MARS S-330 vehicle, MSHORAD enables rapid deployment and repositioning to counter dynamic air threats in various operational environments.
With the Giraffe 1X radar, the system provides rapid detection and tracking of airborne threats, including unmanned aerial vehicles, guided munitions, and electronic warfare targets.
The command-and-control system enables coordinated threat assessment and response.
The RBS 70 NG Remote Weapon Station delivers precision engagement with laser-guided Bolide missiles that can engage targets within five seconds of receiving target tracking and fire control data.
It also features visual 3D cueing to assist in target acquisition.
Increasing Defense Spending
Several European countries are stepping up their defense spending to reach NATO’s new 5 percent of GDP target, comprising 3.5 percent on core military capabilities and 1.5 percent on broader domains like cybersecurity, military mobility, infrastructure resilience, and innovation.
In March, Prague approved a plan to raise its defense budget to 3 percent of GDP by 2030, starting with annual increases of 0.2 percent from 2026.
This boost will fund upgrades across land forces, air and missile defense, command and control systems, and logistics.
