Advancing UK Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space Solutions Worldwide
  • Home
  • /
  • Defence
  • /
  • Europe advances on the joint acquisition of Mistral 3

Defence

Europe advances on the joint acquisition of Mistral 3

France, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia and Hungary signed a framework cooperation arrangement yesterday for the joint acquisition of the Mistral 3 ground-based air defence system.

Image courtesy MBDA / credit DGA

Managed by the DGA with MBDA support, the arrangement gives partner nations access to an improved acquisition process that meets armed forces’ requirements. Following in the steps of the first five countries, several other states have also indicated their strong interest in this cooperation.

Advertisement
ODU RT

Eric Béranger, CEO of MBDA, declared: “This cooperation is a major step forward in strengthening the defence capabilities of the European Union and its member states, contributing to collective security and sovereignty.

"This agreement will drive efficiencies and enhance the resilience of the European defence industrial base.”

Advertisement
ODU RT

Mistral 3, which is currently in service with the French Army and many other users, is an air defence missile that has an infrared imaging seeker and advanced image processing capabilities.

With an over 96% success rate and the best reliability of all current ground-launched short-range air defence systems, it has the ability to engage targets with low thermal signatures, such as drones, turbojet-powered missiles and fast attack craft from long distances.

Advertisement
Gulfstream banner
Dstl trials AI-powered drones for rapid explosives detection

Defence

Dstl trials AI-powered drones for rapid explosives detection

13 April 2026

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) has led a major trial on behalf of the British Army, using AI-powered drone technology to identify landmines and explosive ordnance, which allowed bomb-disposal experts to conduct their mission faster through rapid detection.

Maritime Multi Link programme reaches Phase 2c milestone

Defence

Maritime Multi Link programme reaches Phase 2c milestone

13 April 2026

Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), part of the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) National Armaments Director (NAD) Group has reached a key milestone in the Maritime Multi Link (MML) programme, achieving the Equipment Delivery Date for Phase 2c, a significant step forward in how Royal Navy ships share critical battlefield information.

NAD fully established as Andy Start retires

Defence

NAD fully established as Andy Start retires

13 April 2026

The National Armaments Director (NAD) Group is marking a year since interim NAD (Deputy) Andy Start established it in March 2025 and who is now retiring after 37 years in defence.

NAD contract secures future of Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft

Defence Events

NAD contract secures future of Spitfire and Hurricane aircraft

13 April 2026

The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight's (BBMF) five Spitfires and two Hurricanes will remain airworthy until at least December 2035 through a new contract awarded by the National Armaments Director Group (NAD Group).

Advertisement
ODU RT
Babcock secures FMSP contract extension with MoD

Defence

Babcock secures FMSP contract extension with MoD

13 April 2026

Babcock has agreed a two‑year extension of its Future Maritime Support Programme (FMSP) contract with the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD), ensuring the continued delivery of vital fleet and infrastructure support for the Royal Navy’s surface ships, to sustain capability that remains critical to the UK’s operational readiness.

GKN Aerospace and AFRL launch TITAN-AM

Aerospace Defence

GKN Aerospace and AFRL launch TITAN-AM

13 April 2026

GKN Aerospace today announced the launch of TITAN-AM (Titanium Industrialisation and Technology Advancement for Near-net Additive Manufacturing), an $8.4 million programme in partnership with the US Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL).

Advertisement
ODU RT
Advertisement
Gulfstream banner