Our History
From its creation until today, MBDA has always been at the forefront in imagining and designing cutting-edge and complex weapons systems, supporting the national sovereignty of its home nations and their allies.

Our History

1914-1945
First steps in the development of guided missiles
The concept of the remote-controlled aircraft emerged around 1900 from the convergence of aviation and radio. World War I led to several experiments carried by all the nations involved.


1945-1960
The pioneering period in the UK
The development of guided weapons had not been a priority during World War II, and for the major European leaders, the defence industry had yet to make up for lost time.


1946-1958
The pioneering period in France
The post-war era in Europe became a pioneering period for missile development, following the breakthroughs of the 1914-to-1945 timeframe.


1960-1967
Keeping pace
In the early 1950s, Europe played a pioneering role in the development of tactical missiles.


1971-1979
Europe reaches maturity
During the 1960s, the European industry went through a fast development and the decade ended in the co-operation and merging of leaders in the defence industry, compensating the fragmentation of research and production.


1980-1990
Modernisation of the European industry
The conflicts framed this time period, which could be considered to have set the scene for global modernisation of European defence.


1990-2002
A new landscape for co-operation
The 1990s started on a similar note as the context of the previous decade. Whilst the 1980s were framed by international conflict, the 1990s opened their own years with the Gulf War.

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1914-1945
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1945-1960 (in the UK)
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1946-1958 (in France)
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1960-1967
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1971-1979
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1980-1990
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1990-2002