France's decision to grant Ukraine licenses to manufacture Aster anti-aircraft missiles, SCALP cruise missiles, and AASM Hammer glide bombs may not be limited to these weapons alone. Some of these weapons also serve as the foundation for other systems currently under development, including the Thundart, a HIMARS analogue with a range of 150 km.
In particular, MBDA is currently developing a new long-range air-to-air missile with an expected range of 200–300 km, surpassing the capabilities of the Meteor. It is reportedly based on the Aster anti-aircraft missile, with its design and components to be used in the development of the new weapon.
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Given that Comet is expected to be ready by 2030, leveraging Aster technology may be practically the only way to field such a weapon within the next four years rather than waiting 20 years, as was the case with the development of Meteor.
Ultimately, the U.S. experience with the AIM-174, an air-launched variant of the SM-6 surface-to-air missile, clearly demonstrates the potential of adapting surface-to-air missiles into long-range air-to-air weapons for fighter jets.
Although the Aster may be somewhat more difficult to adapt because of its two-stage design and massive booster—which, in the Aster 30 version, is 2.28 meters long and 380 mm in diameter—the missile itself is actually quite compact, measuring 4.9 meters in length and weighing 450 kg. The smaller Aster 15 measures 4.2 meters in length and weighs 310 kg. Meanwhile, the universal second stage weighs only 112 kg and is 2.62 meters long.
It is not yet known what the Comet will look like. However, if it is indeed based on the Aster—which is set to be produced under license in Ukraine—the next logical step could be for Ukraine's defense industry to take part in producing the new missile.
Ultimately, what matters for Ukraine is that the Comet is being developed for the Rafale fighter jets. The Ukrainian Air Force is set to acquire these fighter jets, with the first aircraft from the initial batch of 16 scheduled to enter service as early as 2028.
However, there is an important detail to consider. The Comet is designed for the new Rafale F5 variant, which is scheduled to be introduced in 2030. Initially, Ukraine will most likely receive used F3-R aircraft or, at best, F4s. At the same time, if Ukraine proceeds with the purchase of 100 Rafales, the newly built aircraft would almost certainly be F5 variants capable of integrating the Comet system.
It is also reasonable to expect efforts to integrate the future Comet into Sweden's Gripen E/F fighter jets, which Ukraine has already ordered. After all, Saab has shown a strong willingness to integrate new weapons, while the Swedish Air Force could also have an interest in such an air-to-air missile.
From the Defense Express side, we urges you to join a fundraising for what is already working: One United Fundraiser: Fundraising by the Serhiy Prytula Charity Foundation for interceptor drones.
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