MBDA Missile Systems

DragonFire laser achieves another UK first​

The DragonFire laser directed energy weapon (LDEW) system has achieved the UK’s first high-power firing of a laser weapon against aerial targets during a trial at the MOD Hebrides Range.


The latest trial, delivered by Dstl and the DragonFire partners - MBDA, Leonardo and QinetiQ – builds on a series of highly successful trials, including the first static high-power laser firing of a sovereign UK capability and demonstration of the DragonFire system's ability to track moving air and sea targets with very high accuracy at long range.


The UK DragonFire collaboration brings together the best of UK industry and leverages decades of weapon system manufacturing expertise to deliver enhanced layered air defence capabilities in the land and maritime domains.


The DragonFire weapon system is the result of a £100 million joint investment by industry and the UK Ministry of Defence, and together the companies involved are supporting highly skilled UK jobs in new cutting-edge technologies that are delivering a significant step-change in the UK's capability in LDEW systems.


Chris Allam, Managing Director, MBDA UK, said: “Together, the DragonFire partners and Dstl are demonstrating exceptional UK capability in laser directed energy weapons. The DragonFire system has been successfully proven to date and we are now closer than ever to having a unique weapon that will enable frontline commands to meet the rapidly changing threats they face.”


Mark Hamilton, Managing Director Electronics UK, Leonardo said: “UK Dragonfire is a great example of how a partnership-based UK enterprise approach can be successfully applied to a major national research and technology challenge. Leonardo is drawing on decades of laser technology heritage at our Edinburgh site in our work on the project: Our beam director technology is delivering ultra-precise tracking/pointing accuracy and stability, at long range, and whilst handling such high-power laser energy passing through it. We’re pleased to have successfully tested the system against a representative aerial target at varying ranges, altitudes and speeds, supporting the first UK High Energy Laser (HEL) firing against aerial targets across its operational field of regard.”


Steve Wadey, Group Chief Executive Officer, QinetiQ said: “Achieving the UK’s first high-power firing of a laser weapon against aerial targets at the QinetiQ-managed MOD Hebrides range is a significant milestone. Our world-leading science and technology capabilities have been applied to the continued development of our advanced coherent beam-combining technology, which is delivering enhanced performance and scalability. I’m proud of the critical role we are playing in collaboration with industry partners and Dstl to support the development, test and evaluation of this sovereign capability.”

https://newsroom.mbda-systems.com/dragonfire-laser-achieves-another-uk-first/

Royal Navy’s Sea Viper to take on ballistic threats​

MBDA has received three contracts worth around £400 million to boost and sustain the Sea Viper principal area air defence system of the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers.


Two contracts, called Sea Viper Evolution, will enable the Type 45 Destroyers to defend the Carrier Strike Group against anti-ship ballistic missiles (ASBMs). Meanwhile, another contract will provide extended and enhanced in-service support (ISS) contract for Sea Viper for a further five years. MBDA is the prime contractor and design authority for the Sea Viper weapon system, including the sensor (radar), the command and control system, and the missile.


Chris Allam, Managing Director of MBDA UK, said: “These contracts will make Sea Viper the most capable naval air defence system ever developed for the Royal Navy in our 60 year history as the Navy’s primary air defence system supplier. They will also see the UK further enhance the co-operation with France and Italy through MBDA by joining the Aster 30 Block 1 programme, giving the UK the ability to defeat anti-ship ballistic missiles.”

The main element of Sea Viper Evolution will see the Royal Navy’s existing Aster 30 missiles receive upgraded Block 1 warheads and new guidance and seeker software to deal with new anti-ship ballistic missile threats, whilst retaining its world leading anti-air warfare capability. The Type 45’s Sampson multi-function radar, and combat management system will also be upgraded. An integrated team from MBDA across the UK, France and Italy is conducting the work together with BAE Systems Maritime Services.

Scott Jamieson, Managing Director, BAE Systems’ Maritime Services business, said: “Our Radar business is excited to be working with MBDA on the Sea Viper Evolution upgrade to our SAMPSON Radar on board the UK’s Type 45 Destroyers. This new capability will form a key element of the UK’s Maritime Ballistic Missile Defence programme.”


The second part of Sea Viper Evolution is an assessment phase evaluating adding the new Aster 30 Block 1NT missile to the Type 45 destroyers, as well as further improvements to the radar and the wider weapon system, to provide world leading capabilities against medium range manoeuvring and separating ballistic missiles.


The extended ISS contract will continue to build upon MBDA’s pioneering data driven approach to optimised stockpile availability, ensuring the Royal Navy have weapons ready at time of need.

MBDA and Saab to strengthen co-operation​

France and Sweden have expressed their desire to strengthen their defence co-operation under a new strategic partnership signed on 30 January as part of French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to Sweden. Anti-tank and air defence have been identified as priority areas for co-operation.


In this context, a major new step has been taken in the relationship between the two countries. On 31 January, Eric Béranger and Micael Johansson, the CEOs of MBDA and Saab, expressed their willingness to support this process in the fields of anti-tank and air defence, two capabilities identified as particularly critical for the armed forces of both countries, especially in the context of high-intensity conflicts. They signed Letters of Intent to strengthen the co-operation between their companies in these two fields, at the Business Forum organised in the presence of the highest French and Swedish authorities.


Eric Béranger CEO of MBDA, said:

“This is an exciting new step in our long-standing partnership with Saab. We are both world leaders in the anti-tank and air defence domains and we will be combining our expertise to deliver the best capabilities for the armed forces on the battlefield. The signature of these Letters of Intent is further proof that co-operation lies at the very heart of MBDA’s values.”

Click to expand...

Micael Johansson, President and CEO of Saab, said:

“The closeness between Saab and MBDA is reflected in our co-operation over many years, and the deepening and broadening of that through these Letters of Intent is most welcome. Doing this here in Stockholm during the state visit by President Macron to Sweden is symbolic of how two European governments working together can facilitate industry in strengthening our collective security.”

Click to expand...

Co-operation in the anti-tank field has resulted in an initial focus on the AKERON MP (formerly known as MMP – Missile Moyenne Portée). A first contract has been awarded to Saab and MBDA by the DGA, the French contracting entity, and the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV - Försvarets Materielverk). This will enable the pooling of MBDA and Saab’s expertise in the anti-tank domain, in order to support the French and Swedish armed forces' choice of the AKERON MP weapon system in the short term. This will also enable the implementation of a joint capability roadmap to develop new functionalities associated in particular with beyond line-of-sight firing, and also to prepare the missile to address the future generation of targets that will arrive on the battlefield. This roadmap will maintain AKERON MP's position as the benchmark weapon in its field, and an indispensable tool in high-intensity conflicts.


MBDA and Saab are long-standing partners, as illustrated by their co-operation on the Meteor air-to-air missile programme and the TAURUS cruise missile, as well as in the European MarsEUs consortium that aims to provide a sovereign European beyond line-of-sight missile firing capability.

https://newsroom.mbda-systems.com/mbda-and-saab-to-strengthen-co-operation-13692/

MBDA signs two partnership agreements for development projects in Greece​

MBDA signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with Greek companies MILTECH and ALTUS as part of its "R&D Booster" initiative in Greece on 6 February 2024.


MBDA's "R&D Booster" is a component of the strategic partnership agreement between France and Greece signed in 2021 and aims to develop long-term co-operations in Europe.


Together with MILTECH and ALTUS, MBDA will collaborate on projects to develop systems based on the AKERON MP missile.


The first stage of the partnership with MILTECH concerns the development of an AKERON MP launch kit, which MBDA is now offering on the global market as an option for light automatic turrets fitted with low-calibre guns.


By joining forces with ALTUS, under the second partnership agreement, MBDA is seeking to develop a range of tactical drones equipped with AKERON MP missiles. This co-operation will begin by validating the integration of AKERON MP missiles on ALTUS’s new ATLAS 8 HEAVY LIFTER UAV.

Eric Béranger, CEO of MBDA, said: “These two new partnership agreements, signed in the framework of the strategic partnership between France and Greece, aim at developing long-term activities with the Hellenic defence industry. They cement the long-lasting relationship that exists between MBDA and Greece. They also demonstrate MBDA's ability to foster, support and strengthen industrial co-operation in Europe, a value that is at the very core of MBDA’s DNA.”

Click to expand...

These development projects complement existing cooperation initiatives in the fields of production, services and R&D. The aim of all of these projects and contracts is to strengthen ties between MBDA and the Hellenic Defence Industrial Base.

https://newsroom.mbda-systems.com/mbda-signs-two-partnership-agreements-for-development-projects-in-greece/

MBDA Enforcer missile production proposed for funding by the European Commission​

21/03/2024

MBDA continues to ramp-up its production. The production ramp-up for ENFORCER missiles – ENFORCER Production Increase Campaign (EPIC) – has been proposed for funding within the European Commission’s ASAP programme.


The EPIC project aims to increase ENFORCER production significantly and thus will contribute to the further enlargement of the series production of ENFORCER missiles at MBDA in Schrobenhausen/Germany and at MBDA partner companies in Europe.


Eric Béranger, CEO of MBDA, declared: “The ASAP EPIC project is a great opportunity to ramp up the ENFORCER missile production, while making it more resilient and faster. Series production of the ENFORCER is now well under way and the first deliveries to the German Armed Forces will follow this year. Also an export contract has been concluded. We are increasing the production of ENFORCER missiles to meet customer demand for the years to come.”


MBDA, as the European market leader for missile systems, is investing heavily in its production capacities all over Europe. ASAP EPIC makes a decisive contribution here and contributes significantly to European resilience and the sovereignty of our customers, their armed forces and their allies.


The portable, shoulder-launched, lightweight, high-precision ENFORCER is a fire-and-forget missile system with an operational range up to 2,000m. Due to its low weight, day and night passive operation and enclosed space firing capability, ENFORCER provides a significant capability enhancement in mobile ground operations. With its unique features the ENFORCER provides precision effects capabilities against the threat from lightly armoured static and moving targets, targets behind cover, and against targets at long range also in urban environments. The modular design of the ENFORCER system enables a range of future development options, including a ‘family’ of Enforcer munitions for land, air and sea applications.

https://newsroom.mbda-systems.com/mbda-enforcer-missile-production-proposed-for-funding-by-the-european-commission/

GA-ASI and MBDA Commit To Weapons Collaboration​

Companies Will Integrate SPEAR Onto MQ-9B and Gambit 6
GA-ASI’s David R. Alexander (right) signs a memorandum of understanding with MBDA’s Chris Allam.
FARNBOROUGH INTERNATIONAL AIRSHOW – 21 July 2026 – General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and MBDA have announced a commitment to integrate the European missile-maker’s SPEAR precision strike weapons onto new aircraft built by the American uncrewed aircraft manufacturer.
GA-ASI President David R. Alexander and MBDA UK Managing Director Chris Allam signed a memorandum of understanding that outlined the agreement at the Farnborough International Airshow 2026. The companies will work together to ensure the MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft and Gambit 6 collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) can carry and use the SPEAR weapons.
“We’ve built an excellent business relationship with MBDA as part of the integration of the Brimstone missile onto the UK’s Protector,” said Mr. Alexander. “So, working with MBDA to enable SPEAR on our broader MQ-9B line, and our Gambit CCA, feels like a very natural extension of our partnership.”
Protector RG Mk1 is the version of MQ-9B in operation for the UK Royal Air Force.
“The consolidation of MBDA’s relationship with GA-ASI is a testament to the strength of our long history of cooperation, most recently with Brimstone and Protector,” said Mr. Allam. “Remotely piloted aircraft and autonomous/collaborative platforms, such as MQ-9B and Gambit, are revolutionizing modern air combat. Integrating the innovative capability of SPEAR multiplies the effect these platforms provide into decisive operational advantage.”
SPEAR is MBDA’s miniature cruise missile, a next-generation air-launched surface attack weapon that provides a low collateral damage precision effect, with a high load out for persistence. SPEAR reaches beyond the horizon to ensure that the launch aircraft remains safely away from hostile air defenses, but with an engagement capability across a broad threat set.
GA-ASI’s long range, high endurance MQ-9B platform is in operation or on order by close to a dozen nations, including the UK, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, and Poland. The Gambit CCA is an uncrewed combat aircraft optimized for attack roles such as electronic warfare, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (DEAD) and stand-off precision strike, making it a versatile option for evolving security needs. GA-ASI and MBDA company leaders believe that the combination of these ready aircraft with the latest weapons will yield a highly relevant and quick-to-field new capability for global militaries.
About GA-ASI
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., is the world’s foremost builder of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). Logging more than 9 million flight hours, the Predator® line of UAS has flown for over 30 years and includes MQ-9A Reaper®, MQ-1C Gray Eagle®, MQ-20 Avenger®, and MQ-9B SkyGuardian®/SeaGuardian®. The company is dedicated to providing long-endurance, multi-mission solutions that deliver persistent situational awareness and rapid strike.
For more information, visit www.ga-asi.com
Avenger, EagleEye, Gray Eagle, Lynx, Predator, Reaper, SeaGuardian, and SkyGuardian are trademarks of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc., registered in the United States and/or other countries.
About MBDA
MBDA is a unique multi-national European group, a global leader in complex weapon systems, playing a key role in the protection of nations. Established in the spirit of international co-operation, MBDA and its 20,000+ employees work together to support the sovereignty of its nations, and allied countries worldwide. As an accelerator of innovation, MBDA is the only European group capable of designing and manufacturing complex weapons to meet all current and future operational requirements of all three of the armed forces (land, sea and air). MBDA is owned by Airbus (37.5%), BAE Systems (37.5%) and Leonardo (25%).
For more information, visit www.mbda-systems.com
ga-asi Jul 21, 2026

1. Home
2. Newsroom
3. Press Releases
4. MBDA successfully completes validation firing of the new anti-ship TESEO MK2/E missile system for the Italian Navy

MBDA successfully completes validation firing of the new anti-ship TESEO MK2/E missile system for the Italian Navy​

16 Sep 2026

Press Releases
EnglishFrenchGermanItalianSpanish


The TESEO MK2/E evolved missile system successfully performed a validation firing as part of a multi-year development programme for the Italian Navy.
The test successfully validated the missile's range, during an approximately 20-minute piloted cruise flight of the TESEO MK2/E.
The trial validates the overall design of this new generation anti-ship system and paves the way for a swift conclusion of the development phase. This will allow the programme to smoothly enter the production phase, within the time frame agreed with the customer, targeting a first delivery in 2028.
This milestone represents a key step in the qualification process, following the 2024 firing, which validated the design of the new missile components and aerodynamics.
The new anti-ship TESEO MK2/E programme was launched in 2021 under a contract signed with the Italian National Directorate of Naval Armaments for the development, integration, and qualification of a new anti-ship solution for the Italian Navy; a production contract was subsequently signed in 2025.
The TESEO MK2/E represents a new generation of missiles, significantly enhancing the anti-ship capabilities of the TESEO missile family, which is known internationally as OTOMAT.
Designed to address evolving threats and meet new operational requirements, the TESEO MK2/E has been developed in close collaboration with the Italian Navy to equip the new PPA (Multi-Purpose Combat Ship), the new generation destroyers (DDX), the FREMM-class frigates and Horizon-class destroyers. Furthermore, the TESEO MK2/E will be integrated in future FREMM EVO frigates and remains adaptable to the needs of international customers.
Renzo Tosini, Executive Vice President Sales & Business Development and Managing Director of MBDA Italia, stated: “I am extremely proud of this result, which will guarantee a unique sovereign capability to Italy and the Italian Navy and will pave the way for further international success for MBDA, thanks to the system's cutting-edge anti-ship performances. The success of this firing once again demonstrates that working in total synergy with the customer is fundamental to achieving even more ambitious results. My deepest appreciation and thanks go to our colleagues whose passion and determination made this great achievement possible".
Thanks to its proven validated performance, the TESEO MK2/E will set a new standard in the anti-ship missile market. Its versatility and flexibility will perfectly complement MBDA's existing anti-ship portfolio, making it a cornerstone of modern naval defence systems.
About TESEO MK2/E
The TESEO MK2/E missile system features a unique mix of new capabilities and performance enhancements, notably through a new AESA (Active Electronically Scanned Antenna) RF seeker, shorter reaction times, and enhanced mission planning that includes in-flight missile control via a satellite data link. Together these advanced features will enable the effective countering of both sea and land targets at longer ranges than previous generation systems. This extended range provides greater safety for crews.
www.mbda-systems.com

1. Home
2. Newsroom
3. Press Releases
4. MBDA to equip the Spanish Navy with SIMBAD RC Anti-Missile Defense Systems

MBDA to equip the Spanish Navy with SIMBAD RC Anti-Missile Defense Systems​

8 Sep 2026
EnglishFrenchGermanItalianSpanish

MBDA has signed a framework agreement with the Spanish Navy for the supply of three SIMBAD RC anti-missile systems - a capability it does not currently possess.
The framework agreement represents a significant advancement for the Navy by providing a new operational capability, while also marking a milestone in MBDA's development in Spain.

Eric Béranger, CEO of MBDA, said: “This first direct agreement with the Spanish Navy is a historic milestone for MBDA. It demonstrates our growing footprint and long-term commitment to Spain. By delivering critical defense capabilities, we are enhancing fleet security and building a strategic partnership based on innovation and cooperation with the Spanish defense industry.”

Click to expand...

The systems will be integrated into active naval units as part of the Ministry of Defense and Navy's plan to strengthen the fleet's self-defense capabilities against missile and aerial threats. The incorporation of SIMBAD RC systems will enhance the Navy's operational capacity by improving vessel protection.
SIMBAD-RC is an anti-missile and anti-aircraft self-defense system based on the MISTRAL missile. The system is capable of providing vessels with primary self-defense capabilities or acting as a complementary layer to their main defense systems.
The system offers effective defense capabilities against all types of threats (anti-ship missiles, sea-skimming missiles, aircraft, drones, etc.). It can be controlled by a single operator, simplifying operation and providing 24/7 operational capability in all weather conditions.
With this agreement, MBDA provides a strong boost to its presence in Spain and its commitment to the development of national defense capabilities, consolidating growth that it aims to continue in the coming years by pursuing new cooperation opportunities with the Armed Forces and the national defense industry.
www.mbda-systems.com