This article is published in Aerospace Daily & Defense Report part of Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN), and is complimentary through Sep 28, 2025. For information on becoming an AWIN Member to access more content like this, click here.
Saab is in talks with potential customers over the sale of a new, low-cost counter-drone interceptor that aims to fill a gap between gun-based air defenses and more expensive missiles.
The company is in talks with several potential buyers and would aim to start delivering the Nimbrix starting next year, Mats-Olof Rydberg, Saab’s head of ground-based air defense products told reporters. The goal is to give customers a new way to deal with the rapidly evolving and growing number of drone threats, he said.
The missile is designed to be less than 1 meter (3.3 ft.) in length and weighs less than 3 kg (6.6 lb.). Ryberg says Saab began exploring the concept in 2022 and last year started flight and intercept trials as it has evolved the product.
Saab is still defining key aspects of the fire-and-forget system, including warhead and seeker suppliers and possible motor options. The system tested so far is at the lower-end range of the 2-5 km engagement envelope the company is targeting, Ryberg said, with a booster motor or new motor under consideration for the longer range. The missile should be able to engage targets at greater range than directed energy air defense systems now emerging, Ryberg added.
The system is designed to be crew-carried, tripod-mounted, or vehicle- and ship-launched. Saab also is exploring possibly launching Nimbrix from uncrewed aircraft systems to take down drones.
The initial configuration Saab plans to build will feature an infrared seeker and proximity fuze. While the missile is a clean-sheet design, key subsystems will be commercial off the shelf to keep costs down. Saab would not disclose the per-missile cost, but Ryberg noted that “cost per kill ratio is extremely important for us.”
Saab initially would build the system in house, but plans to offer potential buyers the option of local assembly. The company sees the need to scale production to give customers the ability to spread their availability among troops.
The company has held exploratory talks with some potential users, but only now is starting formally to take it to the market.
Nimbrix is being designed to evolve at relatively low cost, including, for instance, the potential addition of a radiofrequency-based seeker for all-weather performance. The goal is to be able to engage even high-speed maneuvering drones.
Related Content
