At the DSEI 2025 exhibition in London, MBDA unveiled an unexpected development, a new long-range cruise missile called Crossbow. The project had not been previously announced, making its debut a genuine surprise for industry observers.
According to MBDA, the missile's development cycle lasted only seven months, a remarkably short timeframe for such a system. Despite this, deliveries of the Crossbow missile could begin as early as 2026.
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There's similarities between the Crossbow unit and Ukraine's indigenous designs, particularly the Peklo missile, which was revealed in December 2024.
The missile is designed around a pragmatic principle: to be mass-produced, affordable, and effective. In pursuing this goal, MBDA chose design solutions that prioritize functionality over sophistication. For example, the compact turbojet engine is mounted above the fuselage rather than integrated inside, and the missile does not feature stealth shaping or a complex folding wing system.
These choices reflect a clear focus on efficiency and rapid deployability, aligning the Crossbow missile with broader trends in modern missile warfare, where quantity and cost-effectiveness are increasingly as decisive as advanced engineering. MBDA's industrial capabilities give it a significant edge compared to smaller-scale national initiatives, such as Ukraine's so-called missile-drones.
The missile's specifications place it firmly in the strategic strike category. Crossbow carries a 300-kilogram warhead and has a maximum range of 800 kilometers. Its size is notable: 5.3 meters in length with a wingspan of 3 meters, significantly larger than many of the low-cost systems now being fielded in large numbers.
In addition to the missile itself, MBDA has taken a no-frills approach to launch solutions. The system does not rely on specialized launch canisters or refined transporter-launcher containers. Instead, renderings from the exhibition show a simple launcher mounted on the Mercedes Zetos chassis, highlighting the emphasis on practicality over complexity.
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