Saab Nimbrix anti-UAV missile
The Swedish company Saab AB has developed a new weapon to combat light unmanned aerial vehicles. It is proposed to hit such targets using an ultra-light anti-aircraft missile called Nimbrix. An official presentation of such a product will take place in the near future, and next year the developer company plans to launch serial production and begin deliveries to customers.
On the eve of the premiere
Saab revealed the existence of its new project in late August. It talked about the progress of its development, showed a general view of the promising rocket and named some of its characteristics. However, so far it is only an announcement. The first official display of the Nimbrix product will take place on September 9-12 at the DSEI-2025 exhibition in London.
The Nimbrix surface-to-air missile was developed as a response to the threat of light UAVs for reconnaissance and attack purposes. The fight against such drones has its own characteristics and limitations, which is why specific anti-aircraft weapons are required.
The development of the advanced SAM began in early 2024. Saab took into account all existing factors and formed the initial design of the product. Then individual components and prototypes were manufactured and flight tests were conducted. Based on the testing results, the design was improved. By mid-2025, five such cycles had been conducted and the majority of technical issues had been resolved.
In the near future, the developer company plans to complete the remaining work and determine the final design features. As a result, the final technical appearance of the SAM will appear, and in this form it will be brought to market. Which components still need to be improved is not reported.
Design appearance of the Nimbrix product
The developer company mentions in the official press release that the new missile has already attracted the interest of potential customers. Negotiations are currently underway and the terms of the contracts are being determined. Saab assumes that serial production under these contracts and missile deliveries will begin next year. For obvious reasons, it is not reported who may receive Nimbrix products.
In the near zone
The goal of the Nimbrix project is to develop a surface-to-air guided missile with minimal dimensions and launch weight, capable of intercepting light and small UAVs at ranges of up to several kilometers. The product must be compatible with various launchers and platforms. At the same time, it is planned to achieve a minimum cost, which will allow the deployment and use of SAMs in large quantities.
Saab has revealed the missile's appearance and some of its features. It is likely that such aspects of the project will not change fundamentally in the future, although modifications to certain devices are possible.
The missile is built in a cylindrical body of variable diameter. It has a hemispherical nose fairing and several small external projections of unclear purpose. In the central part of the body, close to the tail, there is an X-shaped trapezoidal wing. Behind it are rudders of similar design. Probably, the planes are made folding.
The total length of the rocket will not exceed 1 m. The diameter of the body and the wingspan are unknown. Judging by the proportions, the diameter of the planes will not exceed 150-200 mm. The launch weight is up to 3 kg.
The product will receive a solid-fuel cruise engine. It is also possible to add a starting engine with a similar fuel charge, which will improve flight characteristics. Depending on the configuration of the propulsion system, the launch range will be between 2 and 5 km. At the same time, the experimental missiles have not yet demonstrated all the calculated characteristics.
Nimbrix will receive a radar homing head, probably semi-active. It is also possible to create other homing heads or radio command guidance, allowing to work against drones.
The missile will receive a high-explosive fragmentation warhead weighing no more than hundreds of grams. Such a device is being developed by Saab, but it is possible to use products from other manufacturers. The expected air targets in the form of light UAVs are not distinguished by their strength or stability, which is why the low weight of the warhead will not be a disadvantage.
The SAM will be used with its own transport and launch container. This is a tubular device suitable for mounting on various launchers.
One stop solution
The Nimbriks missile is being developed as an independent product and is not initially included in any complexes. It is proposed to integrate it into existing or prospective weapons systems in order to improve their combat qualities. Due to this, the new SAM carriers, in theory, can be a wide variety of combat vehicles Defense or other purpose.
Saab's promotional materials feature one of the options for using the new missile. The graphics show a conventional armored vehicle equipped with a Saab Trackfire remotely controlled combat module. Three RBS-70 missile launchers are routinely installed on top of this module. Three containers with small-sized missiles of the new model are placed on the sides of the module. The design of such a module allows the Nimbrix ammunition load to be increased to 12-16 missiles.
TPKs with "Nimbriks" can also be installed on other combat modules, vehicles, etc. The option of using such SAMs on sea carriers is being worked out. Placing them on air platforms is apparently not planned - at least, at the moment it is not mentioned.
Nimbrix missiles on Trackfire module
It is obvious that the issue of the carrier and combat module will be resolved with each customer individually. Probably, Saab is going to use common unified solutions, but it is impossible to exclude the possibility of modifying the missiles or accompanying systems taking into account the customer's requirements.
Response to a threat
Drone aviation in the form of light aircraft has become widespread and has demonstrated its potential in reconnaissance and strikes. A direct consequence of this has been the development of various means of defense and counteraction to drones in order to protect troops.
Another solution to this issue is offered by the Swedish company Saab AB. It is completing the development of a surface-to-air guided missile designed only for intercepting small air targets in the near zone. It is reported that the project is moving forward and is close to completion. Next year, the developer plans to establish serial production of the missiles and begin deliveries to customers.
The developer company has revealed the main features of the new SAM, which allow us to draw the first conclusions. In general, the Nimbrix product in its proposed form looks interesting. The declared characteristics correspond to the expected combat missions. The missile configuration can be changed in accordance with the various requirements and wishes of customers. At the same time, a significantly lower cost is achieved in comparison with other modern SAMs.
The idea of creating a missile outside the anti-aircraft complex is of great interest. Additional means, with the help of which a full-fledged air defense system will be formed, will be selected by the customer in accordance with his requirements and needs.
Thus, the strengths of the Nimbriks project include the simplicity of the design, fairly high characteristics, low cost and the ability to place a large ammunition load on one carrier. In addition, the speed of development and launch of production is important. They want to spend no more than 2-3 years on all these processes.
However, it should be remembered that the new SAM from Saab is still in the development stage. All aspects of the new project have not yet been determined, and the complete appearance of the missile has not been formed. In addition, in its final form, it will have to undergo all the necessary tests and confirm the calculated tactical and technical characteristics.
Saab claims that all necessary work will be completed in the near future. Whether these promises will be fulfilled and the stated deadlines met will become known in the next year and a half.
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