MBDA launched Naval Versions of the 5th MMP generation Missile System.

In service in the French army since 2018, the MMP is to date the only 5th generation land combat missile of the world to be deployed in military theatres of operations. To meet a wide range of naval requirements, MBDA can offer the same highly versatile MMP missile that is already in operational service with land forces.

The MMP launched from a warship (Picture source: MBDA)

During the operational evaluation campaign carried out in summer 2018 by the French special forces in Djibouti, a total of nine MMP missiles were fired with all reaching their target. Two of these shots were fired by the maritime force of marines and commandos from an ECUME RHIB. A first firing from the sea-to-land and the second from sea-to-sea have demonstrated the ease of use of the MMP.

This campaign had demonstrated the interest of this weapon for the commandos, as part of the missions to fight against hostile boats or against coastal defences or armoured vehicles, including support for the landing of small units or special forces. From there, it also appeared that the MMP could constitute a certain interest for, at the same time, allow to reinforce the self-protection of certain surface buildings against asymmetrical threats.

The success of this evaluation allows MBDA to extend the integration perspectives of the MMP system and to propose it on fast attack craft or semi-rigid boats for missions against hostile ships, coastal defences or armoured vehicles, especially in support of a landing of small units or Special Forces.

The successor to the anti-tank missiles Milan and Javelin, which it replaces in the French Army and special forces since 2017, the MMP can reach a target up to 4 kilometres. It is equipped with a hollow charge with a dispersion of chips. Given its compactness and lightness (15 kilos with a tube of 1.3 meters), the MMP adapts very easily to very small platforms. Its seeker device also solves the problems of stability in sea area for the aim of the lens, especially if the wire-guided link breaks.

At Euronaval, the MMP system (firing post and missile) was presented on the Zodiac Milpro booth, installed on a Hurricane type RHIB. On fast patrol boats, MBDA says the MMP can be fired from a stabilised turret carrying four ready-to-fire ammunitions installed in launchers protecting the missiles from the maritime environment. The turret can be controlled from a dedicated console or from a multifunction console in the ship's operations centre.