MBDA Celebrates The Production Of The 4,000th Exocet And Launches The New SM40 Version At Euronaval 2024. Versatile And Efficient, The Missile Gains Improvements In Precision And Search Systems, Reaffirming MBDA’s Leadership In Naval Defense. The New Version, Launched From Submarines, Addresses Modern Challenges With Cutting-Edge Technology.
An unprecedented achievement has moved the defense industry in October 2024, putting France once again in the spotlight in the cutting-edge armaments sector.
The European multinational MBDA has reached an impressive milestone by completing the production of the 4,000th missile from the renowned Exocet line, known for its precision and efficiency in naval combat.
This historic unit was delivered with honors to the French Navy and, to mark the occasion, MBDA launched a special edition of the missile, featuring a commemorative design.
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The debut of the model at the Euronaval 2024 fair reinforces MBDA’s status as a leader in innovations for maritime defense.
The Exocet Missile: Symbol Of Effectiveness And Tradition In Naval Defense
The Exocet is widely celebrated as one of the most effective anti-ship missiles on the global market, and it is no coincidence that it is part of the arsenal of 36 countries around the world.
Developed in the 1970s, the Exocet stands out for its “fire-and-forget” capability, allowing the missile to track and strike targets without the need for additional control after launch.
This feature is crucial in combat scenarios, especially in situations where the operator needs to redirect their attention to new threats.
In addition to operational practicality, the Exocet is known for its versatility. The missile can be launched from different platforms, such as ships, aircraft, and land systems, making it a flexible tool for armed forces.
The MM40 Block 3C version, one of the most advanced, offers extended range and even greater accuracy, incorporating technologies that reduce electronic interference and enhance target precision.
The missile achieves high subsonic speeds and operates in any weather conditions, reinforcing its reputation for reliability.
Euronaval 2024: Showcase Of Innovations And New Advancements
The milestone of the 4,000th Exocet comes amid significant changes in the defense industry, driven by increasingly complex maritime threats.
The Euronaval fair, held annually in Paris, is one of the largest in the sector, attracting companies and military officials from all over the world to present and discuss cutting-edge technologies.
This year, MBDA took advantage of the event to showcase the new version of the Exocet, the SM40, specifically designed for launch from submarines.
With this addition, the Exocet family expands its operational capability, becoming an alternative for more discreet and harder-to-intercept submarine missions.
The Exocet SM40 features an advanced mission planning and search system, offering superior flexibility in complex attack scenarios.
This new model was developed to respond to emerging threats and the stricter defense demands imposed by naval forces with cyber capabilities.
This evolution allows the Exocet to maintain its status as a reliable deterrent, even in the face of an increasingly challenging global defense scenario, according to sources from MBDA itself and the specialized site Joint Forces.
Sovereignty And Security: The Commitment Of MBDA To European Defense
MBDA not only celebrates the success of the Exocet but also reinforces its commitment to European sovereignty in defense technology development.
As part of a multinational consortium with Airbus and Leonardo, the company continuously invests in sovereign defense solutions to face threats such as drones, hypersonic missiles, and unmanned underwater vehicles, known as UUVs.
This commitment was emphasized at the Euronaval with the presentation of scalable defense systems, such as the Sea Warden, designed to counter aerial and maritime threats across multiple layers.
Additionally, MBDA maintains a focus on air defense missiles, like the Aster, developed in partnership with Italy, which is one of the main air protection systems in use in Europe.
This system stands out for its ability to intercept hypersonic threats and is already widely used in countries like Italy and the United Kingdom.
The Evolution Of Naval Warfare: New Challenges And The Industry’s Response
This year’s Euronaval made clear the urgency with which European nations are facing the current geopolitical landscape.
In times where disputes for maritime space and resources are growing, countries are increasingly investing in advanced defense systems to protect their territorial waters.
MBDA bets on innovation to offer European and other countries’ navies systems that ensure complete defense and rapid responses.

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