During the visit, UK Defence Secretary, the Rt Hon. John Healey, and French Minister for the Army, Sébastien Lecornu, toured MBDA’s site in Stevenage. There, they were shown key joint defence initiatives and technological advances supporting the shared ambition to deepen military-industrial cooperation and reinforce NATO capabilities.
MBDA welcomed the summit’s commitments, highlighting the company’s core strategic aims: developing partnering relationships, securing access to sovereign capabilities, and promoting industrial consolidation in Europe. “It is great when we are involved in activities with our customers that truly demonstrate our work in these areas,” the company stated.
One of the major areas of cooperation showcased was the Future Cruise / Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW) programme, which has now entered its development phase. The programme reflects “strong commitment” from both countries to build next-generation deep precision strike capability for counter-A2AD operations and anti-HVAA missions.
Over 750 engineers across both nations are currently engaged in the development of FC/ASW. The project is intended to ensure the operational superiority of allied forces and strengthen Europe’s strategic autonomy through advanced strike technology.
The delegation was also introduced to MBDA’s digital simulation and synthetic environments, used to support the design of the next generation of beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAM). Similar capabilities are being developed in France to contribute to the joint programme.
As part of the Lancaster House 2.0 declaration, a new study was launched to define the successor to the current METEOR missile. MBDA noted that “METEOR represents a redefinition of beyond visual range air-to-air combat in the 21st century,” citing its advanced ramjet engine and endgame performance.
The visit concluded at the STORM SHADOW / SCALP cruise missile assembly line, where MBDA highlighted its long-standing role in Europe’s deep strike capability. These missiles have proven highly effective in operational theatres, including Ukraine.
The declaration included a new acquisition of STORM SHADOW / SCALP missiles by both the UK and France to strengthen national stockpiles. This will also lead to upgrades in production capacity and create hundreds of jobs within MBDA and its supply chains.
In addition, the two governments announced the establishment of a joint Complex Weapons Portfolio Office embedded within OCCAR. This new body will coordinate joint defence projects starting with STORM SHADOW / SCALP, identify opportunities for cooperation, reduce duplication, and study future capabilities such as Integrated Air Missile Defence and Cooperative Tactical Strike.
Further collaboration will focus on integrated air and missile defence (IAMD), including counter-unmanned aircraft systems and counter-hypersonic solutions. This initiative will draw from MBDA’s ASTER family and potentially include the SAMP/T NG and CAMM systems.
MBDA underlined that this strengthened partnership under the Entente Industrielle model reaffirms the company’s founding vision. “This renewed dynamic of cooperation proves, once again, the relevance of the MBDA model,” the company said, reflecting on its 25-year legacy as a tool of European cooperation.
MBDA concluded by emphasising the value of its integrated European structure, which enables it to deliver advanced systems for land, air, and naval forces. “Thanks to cooperation, MBDA is now the only non-US player capable of providing a complete range of missile systems for all the current and future needs of the three armed forces.”
