MBDA has signed a first contract with an export customer for the acquisition of its naval air defence system SIMBAD-RC, one year after launching its self-financed development. The first prototypes are currently in the production process and the system qualification is scheduled for 2014. The initial deliveries will take place in 2015. The system will be installed on a fleet of patrol vessels and each vessel will be equipped with two turrets.
Following this new export success, MBDA's CEO Antoine Bouvier declared: "The SIMBAD-RC programme gives a clear demonstration of MBDA's ability to help customers unlock additional capabilities from their previous acquisitions. Building upon a market standard like the Mistral missile - of which 17,000 units have already been produced - we have developed a simple, highly automated system that largely extends the operational use of the missiles that are already in service".
The SIMBAD-RC is a remotely-controlled, very short range naval air defence system that provides highly efficient capabilities against a wide range of threats, from fighter aircraft through to anti-ship missiles or small-sized threats such as Unmanned Air Vehicles.
SIMBAD-RC gives an easy to set up, self-defence capability to patrol vessels and support craft, or complements the air defence capabilities of other ship types.
Each turret supports two ready-to-fire missiles. The turrets are remotely-operated and so allow the operator to remain under cover, thereby ensuring longer operational availability in case of a combat alert.
The SIMBAD-RC uses the Mistral missile which has already been ordered by nearly 30 countries worldwide.
With a significant presence in five European countries and within the USA, in 2011 MBDA achieved a turnover of 3 billion euros with an order book of 10.5 billion euros. With more than 90 armed forces customers in the world, MBDA is a world leader in missiles and missile systems.
MBDA is the only group capable of designing and producing missiles and missile systems that correspond to the full range of current and future operational needs of the three armed forces (land, sea and air). In total, the group offers a range of 45 missile systems and countermeasures products already in operational service and more than 15 others currently in development.
MBDA is jointly held by BAE SYSTEMS (37.5%), EADS (37.5%) and FINMECCANICA (25%).
Press contacts:
Jean Dupont
Group Head of Media Relations
Tel: + 33 (0) 1 71 54 11 73
jean.dupont@mbda-systems.com
Mobile: + 33 (0) 6 33 37 64 66
France and the Middle-East
Marie-Astrid Steff
Tel: + 33 (0)1 71 54 27 27
marie-astrid.steff@mbda-systems.com
Mobile: +33 (0) 6 72 99 92 10
© Press Release 2013
