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Europe Strengthens Air Defense with Massive Aster Missile Order from France Italy and UK.
France, the United Kingdom, and Italy are set to announce a new strategic order for nearly 220 Aster 15 and 30 missiles, as reported by La Tribune. This acquisition, to be officially confirmed early next week by the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), aims to enhance the missile defense capabilities of the three nations while reinforcing European industrial sovereignty in this critical sector. The contract, awarded to the industrial consortium Eurosam, reflects European efforts to address evolving aerial threats, including next-generation fighter aircraft, hypersonic missiles, and long-range armed drones.
The Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles form the backbone of air and missile defense systems for several European nations, equipping both naval and ground-based platforms (Picture source: OCCAR)
The contract has been granted to Eurosam, a Franco-Italian economic interest group (GIE) comprising MBDA France, MBDA Italy, and Thales, key companies in the European defense industry. This longstanding partnership plays a major role in the development of naval and land-based air defense capabilities through widely deployed and proven systems. Beyond this latest order, Paris, London, and Rome have emphasized the need to accelerate production and delivery schedules, not only for these additional missiles but also for previously contracted units. The objective is to ensure the timely availability of Aster missiles for their respective armed forces, addressing operational readiness requirements in a geopolitical context marked by increasing military tensions.
The Aster 15 and Aster 30 missiles form the backbone of air and missile defense systems for several European nations, equipping both naval and ground-based platforms. Designed to provide effective protection against a broad range of aerial threats, they are integrated into key defense systems, including PAAMS (Principal Anti-Air Missile System), which is deployed on the UK Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers, the French and Italian Horizon frigates, and the SAMP/T system used by the French and Italian armies. The Aster 15, developed for short- to medium-range air defense, reaches speeds of Mach 3 and has an interception range exceeding 30 km, making it well-suited for countering multiple and simultaneous threats. The Aster 30 is designed for long-range engagements, with an operational range exceeding 120 km and a speed of Mach 4.5, enabling it to intercept short-range ballistic missiles and maneuver aerial threats.
The missiles employ an advanced guidance system integrating an active radio frequency (RF) seeker and inertial navigation, ensuring high-precision target tracking. Their maneuverability is enhanced by a hybrid control system combining aerodynamic surfaces with thrust vector control, known as PIF-PAF, which enables rapid trajectory corrections. This design ensures a high interception success rate, even against supersonic targets executing complex evasive maneuvers. Due to these capabilities, Aster missiles are effective against a wide range of threats, including stealth aircraft, low-flying cruise missiles, and short-range ballistic missiles.
With growing international tensions and the emergence of new threats, Aster missile production capacity has become a strategic concern. In December 2022, France and Italy had already placed an order with Eurosam for nearly 700 Aster missiles, highlighting the program’s significance for European armed forces. The current priority is to shorten production times and expand industrial capacity to meet operational requirements more effectively. MBDA, a key industry player, has set an objective to reduce production time significantly. In 2022, the average production time for an Aster missile was 42 months, but the goal is to bring this down to under 18 months by 2026. To achieve this, MBDA and its partners are implementing an industrial optimization strategy, including facility expansions and automation of certain manufacturing stages. The Selles-Saint-Denis site, which plays a key role in final assembly and missile integration, is undergoing investment initiatives to enhance production capacity and ensure a steady increase in output.
The acceleration of deliveries and increased production capacity align with broader European efforts to strengthen strategic autonomy. As asymmetric and conventional threats continue to evolve, ensuring a secure and independent supply of essential defense systems is becoming a priority for European nations. This joint order reflects the commitment of Paris, London, and Rome to maintaining interoperability among their armed forces while reducing reliance on non-European suppliers.
By modernizing industrial infrastructure and optimizing manufacturing processes, Europe is positioning itself as a key player in next-generation defense systems. This strategy extends beyond the Aster missile program and is part of a broader effort to enhance collective defense capabilities, including initiatives such as the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) and new missile defense programs within NATO and the European Union.
The official confirmation of this order for more than 200 Aster missiles marks a new step in strengthening European air defense capabilities. By reinforcing industrial cooperation and accelerating the deployment of these critical systems, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy aim to enhance the protection of their strategic assets and military units. In a constantly evolving security landscape, this initiative underscores the importance of a proactive approach to addressing modern air defense challenges.