Irish Army personnel conduct live-firing exercises with Saab

The Irish Army conducted live firing exercises with the RBS 70 and RBS 70 NG from Saab at the Bofors Test Center in Karlskoga, Sweden. The exercises sought to increase the soldiers’ operational capabilities to engage aerial and static targets.

“We have been working closely with the Irish Army in supporting their ambition to improve their air defense capability and we will continue doing so in the future. We are looking forward to more firings together with the customer,” said Görgen Johansson, senior vice president and head of Saab’s business area Dynamics.

The four-day test at Saab´s business area Dynamics allowed officers, operators and technicians from the Artillery Corps and the Ordnance Corps of the Irish Army enhance their defense capabilities.

“The RBS 70 system is a reliable air defense system which is easy to use. It has been in service with our army for many years and we have used it in various environments for protection of national events and state visits. Defence Force operators consider it a system which they can rely on no matter the weather conditions or countermeasures,” said Commandant Greg Burns from the Irish Army.

Besides simulated training and technical support, the soldiers fired ten missiles against aerial and static surface targets. Eight missiles were fired from the RBS 70 system and two missiles were fired from the latest generation, the RBS 70 NG.