MBDA to begin deliveries of Exocet MM40 anti-ship missiles to the French Navy

European company Matra BAE Dynamics Alenia (MDBA) will start supplying Exocet MM40 anti-ship missiles to the French Navy.

Here's What We Know

The French Navy ordered 55 Exocet MM40 Block 3c anti-ship missiles from MBDA. All of them were to be delivered by the end of 2020, but the coronavirus pandemic disrupted the manufacturer's plans. In December 2022, the corporation will deliver only the first four missiles to the service. Another 31 missiles are scheduled for delivery in 2023.

One of the features of the Exocet MM40 is its resistance to enemy electronic jamming. In addition, the missile can detect its target in a group of enemy ships, and its maximum launch range is 200 km.

The French Navy also intends to upgrade the Exocet MM40 Block 3 missile to the Block 3c level. The service ordered 45 conversion kits for this purpose. The modernization will allow the missiles to remain in service for more than 10 years, after which they will be replaced by new generation anti-ship missiles. They are being developed by MBDA under the Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW) program.

FC/ASW anti-ship missiles will weigh 800 kg including a 200 kg warhead. It will have a maximum flight speed of over 6000 km/h (M=5) and a launch range of 300 km. Potential operators of the new generation missiles are the French Navy / Air Force and the UK.

Source: Naval News

Image: Naval News