OCCAR contracts EUROSAM for the production of ASTER missiles
The MBDA backed Franco-Italian consortium with Thales – EUROSAM – has been awarded a new contract for the production of 700 ASTER medium range surface-to-air missiles for France and Italy.
European intergovernmental organization OCCAR (Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement / Organisation for Joint Armament Co-operation) awarded the contract by delegation of DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement) for France and SEGREDIFESA (Segretariato Generale della Difesa e Direzione Nazionale degli Armamenti) for Italy.
This contract is for the production of ASTER 30 B1 NT, ASTER 30 B1 and ASTER 15. It complements the previous contracts for the Mid-Life Refurbishment of the existing ASTER stockpile (contracts notified in 2020 for France, and in 2021 for Italy and the United Kingdom).
The ASTER missiles produced will equip both ground and naval based systems of the French Air Force and Navy. For the first time ever, they will also be produced for the Italian Air Force, as well as continuing to equip the Italian Army and Navy. Among these, the Aster 30 B1NT, currently being developed under French-Italian cooperation, will equip the EUROSAM SAMP/T NG system produced for the two countries.
The Aster 30 Block 1 NT missile meets a key dual requirement of one missile for both ground and naval systems, protecting against missile threats (including short-range, medium-range and tactical ballistic missiles) and aircraft, and with increased resistance to Electronic Counter Measures.