MBDA ramps up production as missile demand soars across Europe
MBDA is in the midst of one of the most intense growth periods in its history. Suzanne, Senior VP UK sales and business development, explains why that growth shows no signs of slowing.
“MBDA has been going through a rapid period of growth,” says Suzanne, speaking to Aerospace Global News at this year’s Farnborough International Airshow. “We’re trying to take in innovation and rapid learning, and at the same time, we’re ramping up production, in line with increased demand across Europe and with our allies.”
Since 2023, MBDA has doubled its missile production, and the business expects to maintain that level of growth at pace.
MBDA’s year of milestones
That growth is being matched by a string of milestones. This year has seen the first flight of MBDA’s novel electronic war effector – SPEAR-EW aboard an F-35B, marking what Suzanne describes as a “huge milestone on the journey towards that fielded capability later in the decade.” The Stratus programme also continues to progress. A joint effort combining the UK-led low observable capability with French-led strike capability, Stratus is due to be fielded on the UK’s Typhoon jet, before later transitioning to the Type 26 frigate. “We’ve seen great milestones on those activities,” adds Suzanne.
Beyond weapons already in the pipeline, MBDA is playing a central role in the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP). “We have a role as the sovereign effects partner,” says Suzanne. “That’s a critical way of unlocking capability for all the partner nations.” The focus, she adds, is “about doing integration faster, to unlock greater capability and explore interoperability across the participating nations.”
MBDA’s ambitions extend beyond crewed aircraft. The company is investing heavily in uncrewed and autonomous systems, including integrating Sphere 3 capability onto the MQ-9B Protector platform. “This really reflects the importance of autonomous systems in the future of combat air,” Suzanne underlines.
Speed of delivery is a recurring theme for the business. MBDA recently adapted an existing air-to-air missile into a surface-launched platform in just six months. It also developed a new product, Crossbow, which is a one-way effector. “We went from designing on a piece of paper to testing it in nine months.” Much of that pace is down to working closely with smaller, agile firms, explains Suzanne, citing MBDA’s work with Hydrid Drones Limited. “They have got a great multi-purpose platform that they’re developing called Hydro 400, and we’re doing great work accelerating the schedule with them and looking at routes to market,” she notes.
Looking ahead, Suzanne frames MBDA’s strategy around balance: combining the right mix of high-end complex weapons the company is known for, with lower-cost mass production to meet rising demand.
“We’re also looking at that mix of uncrewed and crewed platforms and greater autonomous systems. The company is really trying to help our customers prepare for the demands of modern warfare. At MBDA, we like to think of it as our call to help our armed forces become battle ready,” she concludes.
