MBDA

France Picks MBDA-Safran Team For Rocket System

An MBDA-led European effort to create a hypersonic glide vehicle to inform the development of a hypersonic interceptor also will support research on hypersonic deep strike capabilities as well.

The French government has named a team of MBDA and Safran as the preferred bidder to develop a 150-km-range rocket artillery system.

Aviation Week reports from Eurosatory 2026 with comprehensive coverage of Day 1's most significant defense industry developments.

MBDA said it plans to have a land-based version of its MdCN naval cruise missile available for customers by the end of the decade.

France Orders Nuclear Cruise Missile, Eyeing 2035 Service Entry

France has announced the order for its next-generation nuclear cruise missile with MBDA, targeting service entry in 2035.

Eight leading German defense and aerospace companies are urging their government to decide on the path forward for a future combat aircraft before year’s end.

Avio sees rising demand for rocket motors driven by missile stockpile depletion and prepares for P160C booster flights on Ariane 6 and Vega-C rockets.

The UK Defense Ministry plans to conduct a drill with a handful of companies to assess how a protracted conflict would impact supply chains.

The UK Defense Ministry expects to field the MBDA Spear 3 mini cruise missile on the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter starting in fiscal year 2028-29.

The MBDA-led team leading one of two European hypersonic interceptor efforts is poised to settle on its preferred configuration within weeks.

Thales expects the Iran war to drive long-term air defense demand, while noting air travel disruptions could be a headwind for commercial aviation activities.

The EU will spend €1.07 billion ($1.26 billion) to fund 57 defense development projects, including funding for loitering munitions and space-based programs.

Polish defense manufacturer PGZ says it is scaling up production of components for CAMM-ER missile components.

Anti-drone missile developer Frankenburg Technologies has signed an agreement with PGZ on potential production of Frankenburg’s weapons in Poland.

European missile manufacturer MBDA plans to “intensify” its production ramp-up in 2026, CEO Eric Beranger says.

Hypersonix Launch Systems and the UK business of European missile manufacturer MBDA will collaborate on a series of hypersonic weapon development efforts.

London wants to buy more Thales air defense missiles to aid Gulf allies drawn into the Iran war and convened talks with industry to see what more could be done.

Beyond European exasperation with the Trump administration, there are market realities causing a rupture in Europe’s missile buying habit.

Thales says the ability to quickly deliver the Eurosam SAMP/T NG could give the air and missile defense system an edge over the rival Raytheon Patriot system.

European missile-maker MBDA has secured a backlog of orders now valued at around €44 billion ($52 billion), joint venture partner BAE Systems disclosed Feb. 18.

Indra says it will introduce upgrades for MBDA’s Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile that should extend the data link range and increase resilience.

The UK defense ministry has aked MBDA to examine if the Aster surface-to-air missile can be launched from Lockheed Martin’s MK 41 vertical launch system.

Germany has signed up to acquire additional stocks of the Meteor beyond-visual range air-to-air missile, MBDA has declared.