EXOCET SM40

A New EXOCET Generation Rooted in a Legacy of Industrial Excellence

EXOCET SM40 is the latest generation of the EXOCET family, an internationally recognised lineage of long-range, high-subsonic anti-ship missiles.  Fully operational within the French Navy for decades, EXOCET has become a global reference in naval strike capability. Adopted by more than 35 nations, EXOCET has earned a reputation not only for reshaping modern naval warfare, but also for maintaining an unparalleled level of reliability, effectiveness, and continuous innovation over more than five decades.

This enduring legacy is built on successive generations of combat-proven technologies and operational excellence. The new member of the EXOCET family has inherited the strengths of its predecessors while integrating advanced capabilities to meet evolving maritime threats. In this context, the EXOCET SM40 is the direct successor to the SM39, incorporating the new seeker technology of the EXOCET MM40 Block 3c.

Designed for submarine platforms, the EXOCET SM40 represents a major step forward in submarine strike capability. As an evolution of the SM39, it extends the reach and flexibility of submarine-launched anti-ship warfare, while also supporting broader surface-target engagement missions.

EXOCET SM40: Delivering Unmatched Performance from Submarine Platforms

With an operational reach in the 120 km class, the EXOCET SM40 preserves complete discretion for the launching platform. Its unrivalled launch envelope, covering a wide range of submarine depths and speeds, provides Navies with maximum freedom of manoeuvre and ensures rapid reaction time. Once fired, the platform can immediately break contact, preserving stealth and tactical advantage.

The EXOCET SM40 integrates the latest technological advancements from the MM40 Block 3c, including its next-generation seeker powered by advanced algorithms optimised for contested electromagnetic environments. This advanced sensor delivers improved detection, target discrimination and resistance to electronic countermeasures, enabling reliable performance in all weather conditions. Combined with sea-skimming flight, short time-to-target, and high agility in terminal phase, the EXOCET SM40 offers outstanding penetration capability against even heavily defended surface targets.

The missile is encapsulated in a highly resistant, water-tight underwater vehicle launched from a standard 21-inch torpedo tube. This vehicle ensures a discreet underwater approach that keeps the submarine’s position concealed until the missile emerges and transitions to its low-altitude attack profile.

Supported by a comprehensive mission-planning system, the EXOCET SM40 provides operators with exceptional tactical flexibility across complex coordinated antiship and land attack missions. Combat-proven technologies, all-weather operability, and a true fire-and-forget approach reaffirm its status as a benchmark in submarine-launched strike capability, built to ensure maritime superiority.

A New Milestone to Foster European Sovereignty

In a context of rising maritime tensions, hybrid threats, and increasing pressure on sea lanes of communication, Navies require robust, sovereign capabilities more than ever to protect national interests and ensure freedom of navigation.

As the maritime domain becomes ever more strategic, the EXOCET SM40 will provide Navies with the means to respond to the increasing need to protect commercial routes and critical undersea infrastructure. It will help secure a stable, open, and prosperous maritime environment.

With the EXOCET SM40, MBDA builds on its expertise to remain the sole European company to provide a unique sovereign deep strike capability for submarines. Designed for modern and future operations, it offers an exceptional combination of range, responsiveness, and survivability, ensuring decisive effects even in the most contested maritime environments. EXOCET is able to tackle a wide spectrum of scenarios, even in high-intensity contexts against peer adversaries, ensuring outstanding penetration capabilities against air defences, to safeguard national sovereignty.