France, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, and Hungary have signed a framework co-operation arrangement for the joint acquisition of the Mistral 3 ground-based air defence system on June 19.
Managed by the DGA with support from MBDA, this arrangement provides partner nations with an enhanced acquisition process tailored to meet the requirements of their armed forces. Following the initial agreement with the first five countries, several other states have also expressed strong interest in joining this co-operation.
Eric Beranger, CEO of MBDA, stated, "This co-operation 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."
Mistral 3, currently in service with the French Army and many other users, is an air defence missile equipped with an infrared imaging seeker and advanced image processing capabilities. With a success rate exceeding 96% and the highest reliability among current ground-launched short-range air defence systems, it can engage targets with low thermal signatures, including drones, turbojet-powered missiles, and fast attack craft from long distances.
