Ukraine conflict: Sweden fires RBS 23 SAM from Gotland

The Swedish Armed Forces fired an RBS 23 medium-range surface-to-air missile from Gotland on 24 April. (Swedish Armed Forces)

The Swedish Armed Forces announced on 25 April that they had fired an RBS 23 medium-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) at the Tofta firing range on Gotland the day before, strengthening the defence of the Baltic island and contributing to building up its anti-aircraft capabilities. The missile was fired by an RBS 23 towed launcher and shot down a target drone detected by a PS-90 radar, the Swedish designation for the Giraffe 3D radar, according to the Swedish Armed Forces.

“We choose when and where we want to show our ability to the opponent and today we chose Gotland,” said Swedish Army Major General Fredrik Ståhlberg, deputy chief of joint operations.

Colonel Mikael Beck, commander of Sweden’s Air Defence Regiment, who commanded the firing, said it confirmed anti-aircraft capabilities on Gotland.

Colonel Magnus Frykvall, commander of the Gotland Regiment and battlegroup, said, “A credible anti-aircraft capability is crucial for the defence of Gotland, and the ability to deter a possible attacker.”