European Coalition Formalizes Joint Mistral Missile Purchase.

France, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, and Hungary have formalized their joint purchase plan for Mistral missiles to enhance their air defense capabilities. On Wednesday, June 19, 2024, these countries signed a framework cooperation agreement, solidifying an intent letter signed by their ministers at the air and missile defense conference on June 19, 2023.
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MBDA Mistral 3 MANPADS (Picture source: Army Recognition)

This agreement reflects the commitment of the European partner nations to collaborate in the face of increasing security challenges in airspace. It also represents the consolidation of demand from the participating countries as part of the joint acquisition of defense capabilities, eligible for European Union funding under the European Defense Industry Reinforcement Program (EDIRP), with an emphasis on strengthening air and missile defense systems.

The acquisition will be carried out by the General Directorate for Armament (DGA) through the industrial company MBDA to meet the needs of France, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, and Hungary. Other countries have shown significant interest and are expected to join this cooperation soon, which could increase the total volume to over 1,500 missiles.

The Mistral MANPADS is a user-friendly, highly mobile VSHORAD (very short-range air defense) system, equipped with a Mistral missile launcher that can be positioned on a tripod, and deployed from ground locations, vehicles, or ships. This easy-to-operate launcher holds a single Mistral missile ready for launch.

Equipped with a comprehensive imaging seeker, the launcher exhibits strong resistance to IR (infrared) countermeasures and can target objects with low IR signatures. The system is characterized by a potent 3kg warhead and a laser proximity fuse, ensuring a high likelihood of target elimination.

Currently deployed with the French military, the Mistral 3 missile is equipped with an infrared imaging seeker and advanced image processing technologies, enabling it to engage low heat signature targets such as UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), turbojet missiles, and high-speed vessels at extended ranges. It is particularly resistant to countermeasures and has a maximum range of 7 km, traveling at a speed of 930 m/s.

Designed by MBDA, the Mistral 3 missile embodies the latest in VSHORAD technology with its "fire-and-forget" capability, allowing it to autonomously track targets after launch without further guidance.

A distinctive feature of the Mistral 3 is its advanced infrared (IR) matrix imager, which is immune to all existing IR countermeasures, enhancing its target detection and tracking capabilities, thus increasing its single-shot kill probability (SSKP) to above 96%.

The missile operates passively, independent of the launching mechanism, avoiding reliance on detectable or interruptible active guidance systems. Its agility allows it to pursue highly maneuverable targets, enduring up to 30g, targeting those capable of executing up to 9g maneuvers.

Capable of engaging targets at distances up to 8,000 meters and altitudes of 6,000 meters, the Mistral 3 achieves supersonic speeds of 930 m/s, facilitating rapid target interception. Its minimum effective range is 500 meters.

Equipped with a 3 kg warhead, the missile uses a laser proximity and impact fuse for assured destruction. Propulsion is provided by a two-stage solid propellant motor.

The Mistral 3, designed for a 20-year service life without maintenance requirements, offers a cost-effective and reliable solution for long-term deployment. It is certified for use under extreme conditions, ranging from -40°C to +71°C, confirming its durability and adaptability in diverse operational scenarios.

The Mistral 3's compact, lightweight design, measuring 1.88 meters in length (including the launch motor) and weighing under 20 kg with a diameter of about 92 mm, makes it suitable for various ground-based air defense launch systems.