The Navy has chosen the anti-ship missile / land attack TESEO Evolved Weapon System, called TESEO Mk-2 / E, to equip its naval units.
The new missile is based on the evolution of the previous TESEO Mk-2 / A, with decidedly superior performance, both in terms of range and capacity for attacking land targets. In fact, the TESEO EVO will be able to beat both marine and terrestrial targets at long distances and exercise the autonomous management of flight and target selection (the new TESEO should mount, in the future, a new AESA radio frequency seeker).
According to the MBDA release, the "TESEO Mk-2 / E will equip the next generation destroyers (DDX) and could replace the Mk-2 / A version aboard the class frigates FREMM e Horizon".
The point is that the frigates class Bergamini (FREMM) have never been equipped with the Mk-2 / A version. At present there are no (test) launches carried out by these units with the TESEO Mk-2 / A anti-ship missile.
This weapon, whose first test launch took place in 2006, was first launched by a naval unit of the Navy (the Durand de la Penne) in 2007, in the Salto di Quirra shooting range at a distance of 95 km, without the warhead. To see another launch, we had to wait until October 1, 2020 when, always in the same polygon, the Doria performed a second test at the same distance as the first. It is about the only launches made by the TESEO Mk-2 / A that, as far as we know, has never been tested on a unit of the class Bergamini, while on the twin of the Doria, Caio Duilio, the launch tests gave negative results.
Therefore, the THESEUS Mk-2 / A, technically it entered service with the Navy only on paper (also on the class Durand of the Penne the missiles have long since been dismantled).
It is hoped that the new TESEO EVO will be integrated on the new units before they enter the fleet in line, thus avoiding years of bankruptcy trials.
The new missile has a maximum range of about 400 km and is capable of hitting ground targets as well. Given the new configuration compared to the previous version, it is conceivable that it will be placed inside the V70 vertical cells (VLS) which, hopefully, will be installed on board future DDXs to be able to launch missiles. cruise NAVAL SCALP.
the class Thaon di Revel which is currently entering the line should already be prepared for the TESEO Mk-2 / E, however the serious problems (not resolved) had with the previous version does not leave much room for optimism.
Image: MBDA
