OCCAR’s Executive Administration (OCCAR-EA) has signed several agreements to expand and renew the Aster anti-air missile stocks of three countries that operate the FSAF-PAAMS shipborne systems (Future Surface-to-Air Family/Principal Anti-Air Missile System).
These countries include France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. After years of development, the Eurosam consortium, a joint venture of Thales and MBDA, successfully produced the first Mid-Life Updated (MLU) sets for the ammunition of this system.
The first batch of upgraded Aster 30 missiles was delivered to France, with modernization kits also sent to Italy. These were produced at the MBDA facilities in Selle Saint-Denis, France. Additional deliveries are also planned for this year to all three countries, including the United Kingdom.
The modernization of the PAAMS systems is being carried out in France, Italy, and the United Kingdom. This upgrade is part of a broader initiative that includes the modernization of the ships equipped with these systems, specifically the Horizon/Orizzonte frigates and the Type 45 destroyers.