The Czech Ministry of Defense has signed an agreement for 24 wheeled armored vehicles MARS 4x4 with the RBS 70 NG air defense system from Saab integrated into a remote-controlled weapon station. The contract also includes eight standalone RBS 70 NG units, 80 missiles, as well as training and maintenance packages valued at approximately 1.9 billion SEK, according to a press release from the ministry.

– Experiences from the war in Ukraine show that air defense with high mobility and protected crew is crucial, says Lubor Koudelka, head of material procurement, who signed the agreement with Johan Stjärnlöv from Saab Dynamics. Deliveries will take place from 2028 to 2030.

According to unit commander Jaroslav Daverný, the combination of RBS 70 NG and the MARS platform provides increased mobility and ballistic protection:
– We are adapting to today's conflicts where mobility and protection are top priorities, he says.

RBS 70 NG was chosen last year by Lithuania for a contract worth approximately 147 million euros, mounted on JLTV (Joint Light Tactical Vehicle) from Oshkosh Defense (see image below). The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration has ordered demonstrator systems for the army's upcoming short-range air defense.