Amid growing global demand for weapons, European defense giant MBDA said it will increase missile production by 40 percent this year compared to 2025. This is an average figure, as production of certain types of weapons will be higher.
Production of Aster missiles, used in the SAMP/T air defense systems operated by Ukraine, will be rapidly doubled. These figures were announced by the company's CEO, Eric Beranger, at an annual press conference in Paris, according to hartpunkt.
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Between 2026 and 2030, MBDA will invest five billion euros to expand production. Additionally, by the end of this year, the company will hire another 2,800 employees, who will join the current workforce of over 20,000 specialists.
The company's order backlog currently stands at €44 billion, with 70 percent of contracts coming from Europe. It is noted that the company works with more than 2,000 suppliers, which it must also support as it expands.
MBDA's CEO emphasized that plans to increase production, now being implemented, were drawn up even before the war with Iran began. At the same time, production volumes since 2022 have already increased fivefold for Aster anti-aircraft missiles and fourfold for Mistral missiles.
From Defense Express we would like to note that this is good news that should help alleviate the global shortage of air defense systems. It also represents another step toward Europe's independence from the United States.
It is worth noting the Aster family of anti-aircraft missiles includes the Aster 15 and Aster 30 variants, with only the Aster 30 used in the SAMP/T system. However, it is not specified how the increase in production will affect each of them.
MBDA also manufactures a wide range of missiles, including the Brimstone, Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missile, EXOCET anti-ship missile, MICA and CAMM air-defense missiles, and the long-range Meteor air-to-air missile. Although exact numbers are not given, a 40 percent average increase in production is notable, especially since some missiles are destined for Ukraine.
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