European missiles manufacturer MBDA increases production of Mistral missiles due to war in Ukraine.
The European missile manufacturer MBDA, with production facilities in France, has increased the production of Mistral surface-to-air missiles from 10 per month in 2022 to 40 per month, according to the latest announcement from French Minister of Defense, Sébastien Lecornu, published on April 22, 2024. This boost in production reflects a strategic response to the heightened demand for military equipment triggered by the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
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The Mistral MANPADS is a man-portable, shoulder-fired air defense missile system designed to target aircraft and helicopters using infrared homing. (Picture source French MoD)
In early March 2024, MBDA revealed plans to expedite missile delivery by committing to a substantial investment of 2.4 billion euros in its manufacturing facilities over the next five years. This investment decision came after the company achieved a record-breaking order intake in 2023, totaling 9.9 billion euros—more than doubling its previous year's revenue.
The surge in orders is primarily fueled by the increased demand for anti-aircraft systems from European nations, driven by the need to bolster defenses in the wake of the Ukraine conflict. The conflict has shifted the focus from merely assessing missile performance to enhancing production rates and cycles to meet urgent state requirements. Countries like France, Poland, the United Kingdom, Italy, and others are now seeking to secure larger quantities of missiles at a faster pace.
MBDA's order book showed a remarkable increase for three consecutive years, culminating in a total of 28 billion euros by the end of 2023. This growth was accompanied by a 7% increase in revenue, reaching 4.5 billion euros.
The company's strategic pivot to increase production capacity not only aligns with the current market demands but also positions MBDA as a pivotal player in the global defense sector amidst ongoing international conflicts. The increased production of Mistral missiles, which have also been supplied to Ukraine, highlights the company's role in supporting national and allied defense strategies during these turbulent times.
The Mistral missile, developed by the French company MBDA (originally known as Matra), is a short-range air defense system that first entered service in the 1980s. Initially designed for infantry units to counter low-altitude air threats, the Mistral has evolved through several upgrades over the decades to enhance its effectiveness and adapt to changing combat environments.
The original Mistral 1 was succeeded by improved versions like the Mistral 2, which incorporated advanced seeker technology and increased operational reliability. These enhancements aimed to make the missile more effective against faster and more agile targets. The system’s versatility allows for deployment in various configurations including man-portable, vehicle-mounted, and helicopter-borne platforms. This adaptability ensures that the Mistral can be integrated into a wide range of tactical units and operational scenarios, extending from ground-based air defense to naval and air platforms.
Technically, the Mistral missile is equipped with an infrared homing seeker that excels in targeting heat-emitting threats such as aircraft and helicopters. Its high kill probability is supported by a fire-and-forget guidance system, which does not require operator input after launch, significantly increasing the operator's survivability in combat. The missile can engage aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and, in some configurations, even incoming missiles. It typically has an operational range of around 6 kilometers and is designed to perform reliably in environments with electronic countermeasures.
The latest variant, the Mistral 3, has introduced further advancements to meet modern air defense needs. It features an advanced imaging infrared seeker that enhances its capability to detect and engage smaller, faster, and lower-flying targets that are more challenging to intercept. The Mistral 3 maintains the system’s traditional strengths while providing improved defensive options against modern aerial threats, making it a critical asset for military forces in need of robust, short-range air defense solutions.
The war in Ukraine has had a significant impact on the production of armaments by the French defense industry, prompting a substantial increase in manufacturing and investment in defense capabilities. In response to heightened demand from European states and other allies seeking to strengthen their defense systems amidst growing geopolitical tensions, French defense companies, notably MBDA, have escalated their production outputs.
Defense News April 2024
