ASTER: MBDA Takes New Steps to Strengthen Europe's Air Defence

MBDA achieved two milestones in European Air Defence capabilities during July 2025. The second successful firing of ASTER Block 1 NT (New Technology) and the delivery of the first batch of ASTER munitions from accelerated production measures part of the company's ramp-up efforts. These two major steps demonstrate MBDA's ability to meet the current needs of its customers, delivering sovereign defence systems to protect European skies while strengthening Europe's resilience in the face of new threats.

Defeating the most high-end threats: new success for ASTER B1 NT’s test firing
On 30 July, the French Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA), the French government's defence procurement and technology agency, successfully test-fired the ASTER B1 NT missile from the DGA site in Biscarosse for the second time, following the success of the first launch in October 2024.

This second qualification firing validated the proper functioning of the missile equipment at very long range (150km class) and at high altitude of flight (beyond 25km). Including the new Ka seeker – unique in Europe – a new innovative radome and improvements made to pyrotechnic and electronic equipment.

ASTER B1 NT is the latest evolution in the French-Italian co-operation programme led by OCCAR on behalf of the nations and by eurosam, MBDA’s joint venture with Thales. Intended to support armed forces as the backbone for European air defence in the future, and well beyond 2060. It will enable the European nations to protect themselves against the most sophisticated threats, from highly manoeuvrable targets to the most complex hypersonic weapons. The missile will reinforce French, UK and Italy air defence systems to protect strategic assets on land and at sea.

ASTER B1 NT is the cornerstone of the SAMP/T NG, the only European multi-layered air defence system. SAMP/T NG provides the capability to engage airborne threats at long range while offering an autonomous capability against ballistic missiles, ensuring the armed forces have weapons ready at their time of need.

Delivering decisive capabilities: MBDA on track with its acceleration of ASTER missile production
On 23 July, MBDA delivered the first batch of ASTER missiles less than two and a half years since the placing of the order, part of a joint acquisition led by OCCAR with eurosam. The delivery confirms MBDA's ability to meet its commitment to reducing the production lead-time of ASTER missiles in 2026 by more than half in comparison to 2022, and deliver five times more ASTER missiles than originally planned in 2025.

The accelerated production of this first batch of missiles is a first step towards the scheduled acceleration underway. It is the result of investment and action taken by MBDA with its customers and partners to meet the challenges of increasing production.

ASTER provides Italian, French and British armed forces with essential air defence systems to protect European skies, demonstrated by the use of ASTER in the Red Sea and Ukraine, and increasing NATO's defence capabilities.