France, Italy and the United Kingdom have agreed to further strengthen their air defense capabilities with a new joint order for 218 missiles Aster. The purchase, formalized through theJoint Armament Cooperation Organization (OCCAr), aims to strengthen the arsenals of the three countries and ensure a greater capacity to react against air threats.
The agreement provides for aAcceleration of deliveries compared to previous commitments, with the advance supply of 134 missiles between 2025 and 2026. Production will be managed by EUROSAM, the consortium formed by MBDA France, MBDA Italy and Thales, which has measures have already been adopted to increase production rates and reduce delivery times.
The missiles Aster, in the versions Aster 15 e Aster 30, are an essential component of European anti-aircraft defense. Integrated into the SAMP/T systems and naval systems of the three nations, they are designed to intercept hostile aircraft, drones and ballistic missiles.
The most advanced version, Aster 30 B1 NT (New Technology), was developed to improve the capabilities to counter modern threats, including hypersonic missiles and new generations of short-range ballistic missiles.
The order is part of a broader strategy to strengthen European defense, in the context of growing international tensions and the need to respond quickly to possible air attacks. France, Italy and the United Kingdom thus demonstrate a common desire to consolidate their security and invest in advanced operational capabilities.
With the growing need for defense against increasingly sophisticated threats, the program Aster It confirms itself as a fundamental asset for the protection of the European sky.
Images: Italian Navy / Italian Army
