European missile major MBDA is showcasing a wide range of missile equipment at the ongoing Defence & Security 2023 in Bangkok with an emphasis on its anti-ship missile portfolio. “MBDA’s portfolio covers all segments of the military’s missile needs. MBDA is therefore able to supply missiles to meet the requirements of any new projects initiated by the Royal Thai Armed Forces. This includes new projects or upgrades to existing naval platforms, aircraft upgrades, and tailor made ground based air defence solutions from short to medium ranges,” a company spokesperson told Daily News. The spokesperson said, MBDA’s Exocet MM40B3C and MARTE-ER are able to provide a complete anti-surface solution for naval vessels from first rank warships to smaller military vessels, together with a coastal battery capability for both missiles.
The Marte ER (Extended Range) is a missile with a range of 100 km while the Exocet MM40 Block 3 has a range of 200 km. The Marte ER represents the third generation of the Marte family of anti-ship missiles and is a multiplatform missile family thanks to its medium weight and size class, which makes it the optimal response to medium range threats. It has been designed to be used on fast jets and the new generation, naval versions of the European NFH90 and AW101 helicopters. Derived from the Marte MK2/S the Marte ER version differs mainly through the introduction of a turbojet engine significantly increasing the missile’s effective range. Marte ER has the same interfaces, and logistic support doctrine as Marte MK2/S. This means no platform hardware changes are required for those already qualified for the Marte family, such as NFH90 and AW101.
The game-changing Meteor missile is also being offered for Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) Gripen fighters to provide air superiority. MBDA is also offering the Brimstone precision munition to the RTAF. Other products being showcased are the VL MICA NG (land and naval), MISTRAL (ATLAS 2 and SIMBAD RC TURRET).
