*Athanasios Tsakalos

MBDA participated in this year’s Defence and Security Exhibition DEFEA 2023 showcasing missile technologies that have put Greece among its top export customers and long-term partners.

Indeed, Greece was the first customer for the Exocet missile in 1968, a relationship between the predecessors of today’s MBDA and Greece dating back over half a century.

To date, MBDA seems to keep playing a significant role in the ongoing armament programs of Greece.

A recent contract signed by Greece regarding the procurement of new naval and air platforms carried with them considerable business for MBDA. Specifically, MBDA missile systems will arm the future Greek FDI frigates and the Rafale fighter jets, while MBDA is looking with interest at the outcome of the bid for new corvettes for the Hellenic Navy. 

Naval Group and Fincantieri, respectively with the Gowind and the FCx30 corvettes, are the main antagonists in this tender and what is certain is that both proposals will be offered with the latest version of the EXOCET anti-ship missile.

What remains to be seen though is the air defence domain, for which MBDA is proposing two different solutions, one based on the CAMM ER missile system and one on the VL MICA missile system. 

Yet, in this field, MBDA is meeting some competition due to Raytheon’s Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM). The latter already equips the four Meko 200HN (Hydra-class) frigates as well as the nine Kortenaer (Elli-class) frigates, while its manufacturing entails significant involvement on behalf of the domestic defence industry. As far as the new FDIs (Kimon-class) armament is concerned, these will carry 32 Aster 30 B1 missiles.

Also read: Greece signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Naval Group and MBDA

MBDA has also been curiously looking at some further opportunities in Greece, coming from upgrade programmes.

Indicatively, during DEFEA, MBDA announced the signing of a contract with the Greek Minister of Defence for the mid-life refurbishment of SCALP (Système de Croisière Autonome à Longue Porte) long-range cruise missile system, which has been in service with the Hellenic Air Force on its Mirage 2000-5 and Rafale fighter jets. 

The first missiles were part of the order for Mirage 2000-5, the first aircraft entering service in 2004, a further batch being part of the weapon package for Rafale orders signed in 2021 and 2022. This refurbishment contract includes the procurement of mission planning products, maintenance and technical assistance. This upgrade will prolong the operational service of the SCALP against future threats.

Also read: MBDA | Signing of SCALP-EG missile modernization contract – Permanent presence in Greece

On these grounds, MBDA participated vigorously in DEFEA 2023 presenting its best sellers to the Hellenic Armed Forces.

METEOR

METEOR is MBDA’s air-to-air ramjet-powered and network-enabled air-to-air missile with beyond visual range (BVR) capability, widely recognised as a game changer for air combat. 

Key to this is METEOR’s ramjet engine with its active radar seeker and data link that combine to provide unmatched end-game speed and manoeuvrability at greatly extended ranges, resulting in its all-important ‘No-Escape Zone’ being several times greater than any other existing BVR weapons (60 km). Meteor is also MBDA’s proposal for the F-35.

MICA NG

MICA NG is the only missile in the world featuring two interoperable seekers (active radar and imaging infrared). Its capability to fly out to BVR in passive mode before the seeker locks on in the terminal phase has earned it the nickname “silent killer” as the target has little time to react or to deploy effective countermeasures.

Also read: VL MICA | One of the options for the future Ground-Based Air Defence of Cyprus – Photos and VIDEO

ASTER B1NT

ASTER B1NT is the latest generation of the potent Aster family of long-range air defence products for naval- and ground-based air defence against missile threats (including short-range, medium-range and tactical ballistic missiles) and aircraft with increased resistance to electronic countermeasures.

Also read: MBDA | Network-Centric-oriented Philosophy in EXOCET, MISTRAL, MMP – Partnership with Cypriot Companies in the Background

EXOCET

EXOCET probably ranks as the world’s best-known anti-ship missile. Exocet features a low signature, sea-skimming flight at very low altitudes, late seeker activation, enhanced target discrimination and Electronic Counter Counter Measures (ECCM). 

Exocet is offered in three variants: the submarine-launched SM39, the air-launched AM39 and the surface-launched MM40. The latest surfaced-launched version of Exocet is the MM40 Block 3c variant within the EXOCET family with a 200+ km class weapon suitable for launch from ships or coastal batteries. Already in service, this latest generation EXOCET features 3D waypoints, a low sea-skimming flight profile and the ability to strike coastal land targets as well as ships. The latest version of the EXOCET MM40 the Blc 3c is also the choice of the Navy Command of the National Guard of Cyprus.

Also read: EXOCET MM40 Blk 3 | Tremendous Upgrade for the capabilities of National Guard’s Navy – Photos and Videos

AKERON MP

AKERON MP is the world’s only fifth-generation anti-tank missile designed for dismounted infantry as well as for integration on combat vehicles and aircraft. With a range exceeding 4 km, Akeron MP has a programmable warhead capable of defeating all targets, from main battle tanks to personnel and structures. 

MBDA also provided a simulation room, where the audience could conduct a virtual firing of the system in question.

MISTRAL

Mistral is a highly man-portable and easy-to-use very short-range air defence (VSHORAD) missile system. MISTRAL’s launcher is mounted on a tripod and can be deployed on the ground, on a vehicle or on a ship. It has a proven hit rate of 96% and higher reliability than any other similar projectile.

Also read: Mistral-3 | The remarkable SHORAD system the National Guard will acquire – VIDEO and Photos

The missile is resistant to countermeasures and other “decoys”, while it can engage its target even if it flies very low or has a small infrared signature.

SCALP EG

The SCALP EG is a long-range, air-launched, stand-off cruise missile intended to strike high-valued stationary assets such as airbases, radar installations, communications hubs and port facilities. The missile can engage the targets precisely in any weather conditions during day and night, while its long range and low altitude combined with subsonic speed make it a stealthy missile.

Except for Greece, the missile is also in service with the air forces of Egypt, India, Italy, Greece, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) – referred to as Black Shaheen –  and in the UK Royal Air Force (dubbed as Storm Shadow).

To further consolidate its partnership with Greece, MBDA officially inaugurated its new permanent office in Athens on Day 3 of DEFEA. Through this permanent presence in Athens, the company intends to increase its local investments in Greece and to partner with Greek institutions to continue delivering capabilities that meet the requirements of the Hellenic Armed Forces. 

Also read: MBDA | Successful firings with AKERON MP of the LynkEUs program in Cyprus – VIDEO