MBDA awarded contract to develop new FULGUR missile for Italian Army

The missile, named FULGUR, addresses an operational requirement from the Italian Army and is central to the new system. FULGUR is a man-portable, supersonic, fire-and-forget interceptor, capable of operating in all weather conditions, day and night.

It is equipped with a seeker that uses image processing to engage targets such as small drones, helicopters, and fighter jets. The missile’s design meets NATO standards and is expected to be delivered with its launcher in early 2028.

FULGUR will be integrated into MBDA’s SKY WARDEN system, a scalable and modular solution for countering unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS). The missile’s addition strengthens MBDA’s contribution to a European multi-layered air defence capability, from very short-range to anti-ballistic and anti-hypersonic defence.

The missile’s man-portable nature provides tactical versatility, including mounting on military vehicles. It is designed for integration with platforms such as the IDV VTLM2 with Leonardo turrets, 8×8 vehicles, armoured platforms, and future automated turret systems.

FULGUR is also suitable for air launch and integration onto helicopters, enhancing its operational flexibility. This adaptability supports various deployment needs and platforms.

Lorenzo Mariani, Executive Group Director Sales & Business Development at MBDA, said: “We are really proud to support the Italian Army, and offer to future export customers a very short-range solution that integrates into multi-layered air defence systems.” He added, “FULGUR completes MBDA’s offer in the VSHORAD segment and it will give Europe a totally autonomous and technologically sovereign very short-range capability, able to evolve into an air-to-air system, operational on a rotary wing, thanks to its flexibility and ease of integration.”