On July 23 MBDA delivered the first batch of Aster anti-aircraft missiles – less than two and a half years after the order was placed as part of a joint procurement by the European armaments agency OCCAR (Organization Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement) in cooperation with Eurosam, the French-Italian joint venture between MBDA and Thales.
The procurement initiative between France and Italy launched in December 2022 was extended in February 2025 with a further follow-up order. The aim is to strengthen European air defense capabilities by producing more than 900 Aster missiles for the armed forces of France, Italy and the United Kingdom.+
In February 2023, Eurosam was awarded a contract by OCCAR for the production of 700 medium-range Aster surface-to-air missiles – including the Aster 30 B1 NT, Aster 30 B1 and Aster 15. These are used in both the ground-based SAMP/T (Sol-Air Moyenne-Portée/Terrestre) system and the sea-based PAAMS (Principal Anti-Air Missile System).
In March 2025, France, Italy and the UK decided to order 218 additional missiles and to accelerate deliveries already underway as part of a joint OCCAR process.
The rapid production of the first series batches marks an important milestone in the ambitious ramp-up of Aster production. It is the result of targeted investments and measures by MBDA and its partners to overcome production challenges. It confirms the company’s ability to reduce the production lead time by more than half by 2026 compared to 2022 – and to deliver five times as many Aster rockets by 2025 as originally planned.
MBDA CEO Eric Béranger explains: “The delivery of the first Aster rockets, which are already benefiting from significantly reduced production times, is a great success for our teams. I would like to thank all our employees and our industrial and government partners for their commitment. This acceleration will enable the armed forces of France, Italy and the UK to further strengthen their air defense capabilities – such as the operations in the Red Sea and Ukraine (-> Latest news from the Ukraine war) have impressively demonstrated. It also contributes to strengthening the defense capabilities of NATO defense capability.”
MBDA had already initiated initial measures to increase production in 2024. In February 2025, this was underlined by the formal reordering of further Aster systems for France, Italy and the UK.
The expansion relates in particular to the production sites in Bourges and Selles-Saint-Denis (France) and Fusaro (Italy). In addition to extensive investments, additional specialists were recruited, stocks of raw materials and components were built up and the European supply chain was strengthened in a targeted manner.
Between 2023 and 2025, MBDA could double its rocket production across the Group. Further investments of €2.4 billion are planned for the period from 2025 to 2029 to ensure a sustainable ramp-up.
Click here for further news about MBDA.
