The new battalion has been integrated into the 3rd Naval Warfare Flotilla (Tredje sjöstridsflottiljen), reinforcing Sweden’s maritime security. Its core weapon system is the Saab RBS15 Mk II, a heavy anti-ship guided missile designed for long-range precision strikes against naval threats.
This initiative represents the revival of Sweden’s coastal missile defence, chich had been significantly reduced in the 1990s due to budget cuts following the post-Cold War period of international stability. At the time, the 1st Coastal Missile Battery (1. tunga kustrobotbatteriet), armed with an earlier version of the RBS15 missile, was disbanded.
However, evolving security dynamics in the Baltic region prompted Sweden to reassess its coastal defence strategy. In 2016, a decision was made to restore this critical capability by reintroducing guided anti-ship missile systems.
The modernised system has been reconstructed using components from previously decommissioned coastal missile batteries. Additional parts were sourced from retired Stockholm-class missile boats and Gothenburg-class corvettes, ensuring an effective and cost-efficient reactivation of the coastal missile force.
The RBS15 Mk II missile serves as the backbone of this renewed defence system. Already deployed on Sweden’s Visby-class and upgraded Gävle-class corvettes, as well as on JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets in its RB15F variant, the missile offers advanced capabilities for countering maritime threats. It features a long operational range, advanced guidance systems, and high resistance to electronic countermeasures, making it a formidable weapon in Sweden’s arsenal.
The system has undergone rigorous testing, including a successful live missile launch, demonstrating its effectiveness in modern warfare scenarios. Additionally, a coastal missile unit participated in the Swedish Navy exercise “Swenex” in 2016, operating in strategic waters between Södertörn and Västervik, as well as around Gotland.
