MBDA CEO emphasises “moment of truth” for Europe as company sees €37 billion backlog
MBDA is already seeing a five-fold increase in the production of its Aster family missiles for 2025 compared to 2023. (Photo: MBDA)
MBDA is focusing on ramping up production and investing heavily to meet growing demand for its missile products, after it ushered in another record-breaking year with a backlog of €37 billion, its CEO, Éric Béranger said at the company’s 2024 results conference on 17 March.
To ensure MBDA can effectively accelerate production, Béranger disclosed that the company was investing €2.4 billion across the group over 2025–29 and is seeking to boost its hiring efforts, with an increase of 2,600 people per year for 2025.
In 2024, the company achieved a €13.8 billion (US$15 billion) order intake, with €4.9 billion ($5.4
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Defence Notes
-
Israel defence ministry pushes ambitious spending plans for tanks, drones and KC-46 aircraft
The procurement and acceleration production plans – some of which still await approval – across the air and land domains will aim to strengthen the operational needs of the Israel Defense Forces.
-
US reforms its defence acquisition system to focus on commercial capabilities
This shift is planned to accelerate the procurement and fielding of capabilities. As part of this strategy, the US also intends modernise its regulations in an attempt to change its bureaucratic and risk-averse culture.
-
Australia’s Exercise Talisman Sabre concludes after a series of firsts
More than 40,000 military personnel from 19 participating nations took part in the 11th iteration of the biennial Exercise Talisman Sabre multi-domain event which was held across Australia and in Papua New Guinea.
-
US Africa Command targets logistic solutions
AFRICOM is seeking IT systems and supply chain management solutions to enhance interoperability and standardise logistical processes in its area of responsibility.
-
Rheinmetall sales up by almost a quarter on wave of German spending
Germany’s Rheinmetall released its 1H 2025 results on 7 August, continuing the strong growth of recent years. A particular highlight of the result’s presentation was the Skyranger air defence system for which the company is predicting sales of about US$8.2 billion from the German Government before the end of the year.
-
Defence companies continue to ride procurement wave
Vehicle and technology companies are reporting substantial growth compared to the first half of 2024. Italy’s Fincantieri saw revenues jump 24% for the first half of the year compared to 2024 and Thales up 6.8% for the same period. General Dynamics reported second quarter revenue growth of 8.9% for the second quarter compared to last year and MilDef reported organic order intake growth of 58%.