In the face of rapidly evolving air threats, armed forces must now have increasingly integrated, responsive, and adaptable defence capabilities. Air defence has become a major focus in protecting communities and infrastructure.
At Eurosatory 2026, MBDA will showcase its unique expertise in this domain through a range of solutions covering the entire spectrum of threats, from drones to hypersonic missiles.
Multi-layered protection against the full threat spectrum
Recent conflicts have highlighted the need for air defence systems capable of simultaneously countering diverse threats, including drones, ballistic missiles, and future hypersonic weapons.
The ASTER family, integrated into the SAMP/T NG system, provides armed forces with protection against a wide array of threats, including complex ones like maneuverable ballistic missiles and hypersonic missiles.
This capability fits into an integrated architecture designed to ensure surveillance, identification, and interception of threats throughout their trajectory.
SKY WARDEN: Protecting critical infrastructure and civil spaces from drone threats
Among the major themes highlighted at Eurosatory 2026, counter-drone measures are a central focus. Recent experiences have confirmed the rapid proliferation of drones, deployed in large numbers on conflict zones and in civilian environments to secure critical infrastructure and airport facilities, borders, sensitive sites, and major international events, as well as urban environments.
This evolution demands new protective approaches capable of ensuring advanced detection, reliable identification, and tailored neutralisation of each threat.
MBDA has developed SKY WARDEN, a modular and adaptable system for addressing micro-drones, tactical drones and loitering munitions, combining multiple sensors and effectors with a command and control system integrated with artificial intelligence for a tailored response.
Designed to meet both peacetime security needs and military operational requirements, SKY WARDEN illustrates MBDA’s approach of providing rapidly deployable solutions tailored to new security challenges.
In the counter-drone domain, MBDA is also exploring innovative partnership models to develop interception solutions tailored to specific threats. For example, in France, MBDA partners with Alta Ares to develop drone interception solutions, such as those targeting Shahed-type threats, within the innovative ELISA partnership framework. The interception solutions developed by MBDA and Alta Ares will be designed to seamlessly integrate with the SKY WARDEN system, complementing the existing range of effectors.
Preparing for the future with AQUILA
MBDA is also preparing the next generation of air defence systems to counter emerging threats.
In this context, the Group is coordinating the European consortium HYDIS2, which brings together industrial partners, research centers, and institutional partners around a common goal: developing the technologies necessary for defence against new-generation hypersonic and ballistic threats.
This ambition is embodied in the AQUILA interceptor concept, designed to address the challenges posed by maneuverable and hypersonic threats in an increasingly contested environment, ensuring the sovereignty of European nations.
AQUILA represents a new generation of endo-atmospheric defence, strengthening MBDA’s air defense portfolio. It will complement the ASTER missile family and reinforce NATO’s integrated air and missile defence architectures, providing enhanced protection.
At Eurosatory 2026, the Group will demonstrate its ability to meet current armed forces needs while preparing the solutions that will ensure the protection of European territories, populations, and strategic interests tomorrow.
As the sole European player offering a complete range of sovereign complex weapon systems, MBDA develops solutions covering all layers of air defence. This approach supports the defence solutions already deployed within armed forces and the development of systems that will meet future challenges.