The current price of the Mistral 3 multi-domain, multiplatform (army, navy and air) combat proven missile by the pan-European conglomerate MBDA (as part of a comprehensive purchase, along with additional services and related equipment) is €550,000 per unit. This became known thanks to the disclosure of the number of missiles purchased by Belgium for the Mistral MANPADS.
As announced by Belgian Defense Minister Theo Franken, quoted by FOB, under a contract concluded at the beginning of the year, Belgium is to receive 465 Mistral 3 missiles for €226 million. From Defense Express, we estimate that these are the best conditions and price.
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The fact is that this was a joint purchase carried out by France, Cyprus, Estonia, Hungary and Belgium, which in total contracted a large batch – according to experts, for more than 1,500 missiles. Such large orders allow reducing the cost of each missile, due to more profitable purchase of the necessary components, as well as the ability to effectively plan the production process for a long period.
Despite the fact that we are talking about an anti-aircraft missile for MANPADS, the cost of Mistral 3, when compared with analogues, is really low. In particular, the cost of a separate missile for the American Stinger MANPADS is known, which Germany purchased in 2024 for 780 thousand euros for one FIM-92K Block I missile.
At the same time, the cheapest MANPADS in Europe is most likely the Polish Piorun MANPADS. The cost of a separate missile for it is unknown, but it is possible to cite figures from the public tender documentation of the Slovak Ministry of Defense, which in 2023 chose the Polish offer. At that time, it was announced that one set of Piorun MANPADS and a certain number of missiles for it costs 1.83 million euros, and a similar set of Mistral - 2.91 million euros.
Belgium's choice of Mistral MANPADS is due to the fact that until 2017 it had these MANPADS in service, which were decommissioned and preserved. But against the backdrop of the russian threat, a decision was made to return them to service. That is, Belgium could additionally order just the decommissioning of existing MANPADS, and not purchase new systems, which could ultimately be more expensive.
As announced, the first platoon of the Belgian army should receive Mistral MANPADS this year. This may mean that in 2026 Belgium will again have a ground-based air defense component. It should be noted that the Belgians currently do not have any anti-aircraft missile or cannon systems in service. It should also be noted that Belgium is working very hard to close this gap - in 2024, the purchase of SAMP/T NG was announced, and in 2025, Belgium ordered the NASAMS air defense system.
From Defense Express side, we urge readers to join a fundraiser for a solution that is already proving effective: the One United Fundraiser, organized by the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation to support interceptor drones.
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