Italy Receives First Delivery Of MBDA Aster Air Defense Missiles

European missile maker MBDA marked a major milestone on July 23, 2025, when the company delivered the first consignment of Aster air defense missiles to Italy under a hastened production scheme. The Aster missile delivery to Italy is a crucial step toward enhancing European defense capabilities and meeting the growing demand for advanced air defense systems.

The first batch of ASTER missiles supplied by MBDA was delivered less than 2.5 years after the order was placed, as part of a joint acquisition initiated by OCCAR with the Franco-Italian joint venture of MBDA and Thales called Eurosam. This accomplishment reflects the firm’s commitment to maintaining quality while reducing production schedules.

The delivery also demonstrates MBDA’s ability to achieve ambitious production goals. It verifies MBDA’s pledge to reduce the production lead time of ASTER missiles by 500 percent in 2026 compared to 2022, along with a five-fold increase in the number of ASTER missiles delivered in 2025 as initially planned.

This missile provision is based on a full cooperation program between France and Italy, initiated in December 2022. The initiative later received additional orders in February 2025, aiming to manufacture approximately 1,000 ASTER missiles for the armed forces of Italy, the United Kingdom, and France.

In an interview commenting on the strategic value of this delivery, Eric Berranger, CEO of MBDA, stated: “The delivery of the first ASTER missiles with much shorter production times is a success for all MBDA teams… It shows that we are working closely with our customers to ramp up our industrial facilities and improve our defense industrial and technological base.”

The rapid manufacturing responds to the high demand seen in real-life operations. The MBDA ASTER family of missiles has more than 250 successful firings, including over 100 operational shots in Ukraine and the Red Sea. These successes have demonstrated the missile’s effectiveness against various threats, such as UAVs and ballistic missiles.

The wide use of Aster missiles by the French Navy in the Red Sea, where they launched more than 20 missiles as reported by naval management, further shows the system’s effectiveness and reliability under complex military conditions. This highlights the importance of the Aster missile delivery to Italy as part of broader European defense readiness.

In the current delivery, a new version of the ASTER 30 B1 NT radar was introduced. Previously, this radar represented a major technological advancement. The new generation offers superior anti-ballistic and anti-hypersonic missile capabilities, with successful qualification in October 2024 and July 2025.

The ASTER 30 B1 NT system will also be installed on Horizon-class air defense destroyers of the Italian Navy (after 2027) and the French Navy (after 2030) as part of their mid-life upgrades, enhancing their capability to defend against even advanced aircraft.

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To meet increasing demand, MBDA plans significant investments. The group aims to double missile production by 2025 and will invest €2.4 billion between 2025 and 2029 to expand production further.

Key steps to accelerate production include:

• Hiring qualified staff
• Stocking raw materials and components
• Promoting the European value chain
• Investing in production facilities in Bourges and Selles-Saint-Denis (France) and Fusaro (Italy)

This delivery is more than a commercial sale; it significantly enhances NATO’s collective defense capability. The Aster missile line provides vital air defense, protecting European countries from air raids, traditional aircraft, and new-era hypersonic weapons.

The reduction of production lead time from 42 months in 2022 to less than 18 months by 2026 demonstrates the European defense industry’s ability to quickly adapt to evolving security needs while maintaining technological leadership.

MBDA, Europe’s largest missile producer, increased production and deliveries by one-third in 2024 due to high demand from European governments for air defense and battlefield munitions. This growth highlights MBDA’s vital role in meeting European defense needs.

The performance of the Aster delivery program confirms MBDA’s position as an innovator in missile technology and showcases how European defense cooperation can effectively address modern security challenges.

The Aster missile delivery to Italy is a monumental achievement in European defense production. It strengthens Italy’s air defense and represents the success of European defense cooperation and rapid industrial advancement.

Despite proven combat efficiency, high technology, and accelerated production, the Aster missile system remains essential for protecting European airspace and supporting NATO’s collective defense policy. Continued investment and development will ensure European countries remain equipped with cutting-edge air defense technology to meet future security challenges.

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