The missiles will support Denmark’s planned air defence systems and are intended to strengthen the country’s military capabilities in the coming years. Deliveries are scheduled for the future, with no specific timeline disclosed at this stage.
The framework agreement was signed between European missile manufacturer MBDA and the relevant defence procurement authorities in France and Denmark. It provides for the supply of between 250 and 1,000 Mistral 3 missiles, although exact financial terms have not been made public.
This contract is part of a wider European cooperation initiative launched in November 2024, involving joint procurement of the Mistral 3 system by France, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Spain, Hungary, Slovenia, Romania, and Denmark. Denmark will finance its portion through a national defence investment package worth nearly EUR 7 billion.
“The agreement is another important step in building Danish air defence,” said Danish Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen. “It not only highlights our strong cooperation with France but also strengthens Danish combat power and security – close relations with France are absolutely essential in a time of war in Europe.”
The Mistral 3 missile is a fire-and-forget system designed by MBDA to counter a wide range of airborne threats, including fighter jets, helicopters, cruise missiles, and unmanned aerial vehicles. It features an infrared seeker and advanced image processing capabilities, enabling use in complex operational environments.
The system can be deployed from various platforms, including portable launchers, armoured vehicles, naval vessels, and helicopters. It is capable of intercepting targets at ranges of up to 8 kilometres and altitudes of up to 6,000 metres.
Denmark’s planned integration of the Mistral 3 is part of its broader strategy to modernise its armed forces and contribute to collective European defence.
