MBDA Partners With Safran For MMP Missile System

French firm MBDA has entered into global strategic partnership with Safran Australia as part of its bid for the Missile Moyen Portee (MMP) system anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) component being offered for the Australian Army’s LAND 400 Ph 2 Combat Reconnaissance Vehicle (CRV) programme.

According to the press release, Safran Electronics & Defense will play a key role in response to the Commonwealth of Australia’s Defence Industry Policy Statement to support the development of Australian sovereign industrial and strategic capability.

“This agreement will take advantage of Safran Electronics & Defense Australasia, a Safran Electronics & Defense subsidiary that has been operational for over twenty years in Australia, for delivery and support of optronics and navigation equipment,” the release states.

SAFRAN Electronics & Defense is a strategic partner of MBDA for a number of programs, including the MMP missile system where they are responsible for critical optronics elements namely: dismounted firing posts, sensors, commands, and missile seekers.

MMP is the latest (fifth) generation land combat missile system designed for dismounted infantry as well as for integration on combat vehicles. It is currently ordered by a major NATO member.

MMP has been ordered by France for its infantry and combat reconnaissance vehicles (Scorpion program). It will be fitted onto the French army’s new Jaguar combat vehicles along with Safran Electronics & Defense’s PASEO advanced sighting systems. Qualification of MMP was completed in July 2017, and deliveries have now started.

PASEO sighting system, with its advanced capabilities and already integrated to fire the MMP missile, has additionally been ordered by France and integrated on to the Scorpion program’s Jaguar combat reconnaissance vehicles.