Eurosatory: Teaming for latest Aster

A Cooperation Arrangement was signed between the defence ministries of Italy and France for the joint development of the Aster 30 Block 1 NT missile in Paris on 14 June.

France launched the development programme in December 2015; under this agreement Italy will join the effort.

The Aster 30 Block 1 NT programme comprises an evolution in the electronics of the Aster 30 Block 1 missile as well as an adaptation of the SAMP/T ground based systems to take into account the new missile which will be available as of 2023. 

Antoine Bouvier, CEO, MBDA, said: ‘Today marks a very important date for European defence cooperation and for MBDA in particular. The Aster missile programme is Europe’s most ambitious tactical missile programme. The two countries, which have carried out this programme for many years, have just laid out a robust route map that will see the Aster programme well into the next decade, which will help to sustain industrial know how for many years to come and which is key to ensuring French and Italian sovereignty. 

‘Aster is in fact much more than a missile. It is a whole family of air defence and anti-missile systems which has been adopted by 11 armed forces around the world. Aster represents the leading edge of worldwide military capability and as such serves to consolidate the European missile industry.’

The UK, which deploys Aster missiles on its Type 45 destroyers, declared during the Franco-British summit held in Amiens in March 2016, that it is considering the Aster Block 1 NT for its destroyers.

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SAMP/T