Successful integration of the MISTRAL 3 air-to-air missile on the Tigre MK2 helicopter

15 Jul 2026

Solutions

Against a backdrop of evolving threats and growing operational requirements, the DGA (Directorate General of Armaments) called upon MBDA to rapidly integrate an anti-drone capability for the Tigre MK2 helicopter. MBDA rose to the challenge, delivering a solution that enabled the first use of the MISTRAL 3 on the Tigre MK2 in record time. This advancement strengthens the defence and interception capabilities of the French Armed Forces. 

MISTRAL 3
© DGA

 

MISTRAL 3
© DGA

This integration test campaign for the MISTRAL 3 missile on the Tigre MK2 helicopter is a resounding success, having delivered under tight time constraints, a software and technical evolution of the MISTRAL 2 firing system already present on the Tigre MK2. This enabled both the carriage and the execution of a live fire!
Effective coordination between MBDA, the DGA, and the Armed Forces made it possible to overcome the technical challenges associated with integrating the MISTRAL 3 onto the Tigre MK2 helicopter within a record timeframe.
The MISTRAL is a versatile, multi-domain, multi-platform missile, perfectly adapted to current and future threats, offering comprehensive protection against a wide range of aerial dangers.
This integration test campaign for the MISTRAL 3 missile on the Tigre MK2 helicopter was successfully conducted, thereby confirming the missile's performance. The urgent need to increase French anti-drone capabilities, combined with the commitment of all parties involved, made it possible to accelerate the integration process and add new functionalities within a very short period.
This represents a significant improvement for the platform, as the Tigre MK2 was already using MISTRAL 2, the transition to MISTRAL 3 allows it to increase its interception capabilities to deal more effectively with a variety of emerging aerial threats.
MBDA has once again demonstrated its ability to accelerate and support operational ramp-up by providing cutting-edge solutions to meet the needs of the Armed Forces and counter new threats.