MBDA
About
About MBDA
MBDA develops missile and air-defence systems for European armed forces. Its counter-UAS portfolio includes Sky Warden, a modular system that coordinates sensors and effectors across the detection-to-neutralisation chain, and DEFENDAIR, a specialised counter-drone missile currently in development.
Sky Warden can be configured as a stand-alone or layered air-defence component and in vehicle-mounted or dismounted form. Sensor, effector and deployment combinations remain customer-specific.
Products
- DEFENDAIR
Counter-UAS
Observed use
- IMPACT anti-tank turret and MMP missiles with THeMIS
2019-02-17 - Physical Demo - Mounted - MBDA and Milrem demonstrated a THeMIS prototype fitted with the IMPACT turret and two MMP missiles.
Source
Supply
Team
- Eric Béranger - Chief Executive Officer - He leads MBDA as it expands air-defense and counter-UAS collaborations.
Timeline
Events
- 2026-10-12 - Partnership - Fortem and MBDA expand autonomous counter-drone partnership
FireThorn combines Fortem’s radar-guided autonomous airframe with an MBDA NATO-approved warhead for kinetic interception of hostile drones. The agreement extends a collaboration begun in 2024 around Sky Warden integration; sales remain subject to applicable export authorisations.
Source - 2026-07-20 - Product Launch - MBDA unveils Counter Mass Interceptor for mass drone attacks
Counter Mass Interceptor is designed to defeat saturation attacks by small drones and other low-cost airborne threats. MBDA is engineering the system for scalable, automotive-style production using existing or repurposed manufacturing lines. The UK-led initial version is targeted for availability in 2028, with a longer-range follow-on planned.
Source - 2026-07-01 - Contract Award - Intracom Defense wins MBDA Deutschland DefendAir datalink contract
The contract covers the DefendAir missile, formerly the Small Anti-Drone Missile programme. Intracom Defense work includes engineering development, prototyping, integration support and manufacturing-line setup. The datalink solution covers the future communication suite at both ground and missile level.
Source - 2026-06-16 - Partnership - Alta Ares combines interceptor stack with MBDA for ELISA
The proposed solution builds on Alta Ares’ X-Lock and Black Bird interceptors and Pixel Lock terminal-guidance AI, with MBDA contributing guidance, weaponization and secure data-link building blocks. The partners target a first Shahed-class interception solution from 2027 and plan industrial capacity of several hundred interceptors per month at launch. France’s DGA launched ELISA in April 2026; the seven-year programme can support up to four partners and allocate €18.7 million across development, evaluation and industrialization phases.
Source - 2026-06-15 - Partnership - Unifly and MBDA partner on end-to-end counter-UAS solutions
The collaboration is intended to combine detection, identification, tracking and response layers rather than a standalone aircraft offering. Unifly brings airspace-management and coordination software to MBDA’s broader counter-UAS stack.
Source - 2026-06-15 - Partnership - Unifly and MBDA sign partnership for end-to-end C-UAS solutions
The agreement combines Unifly’s UTM platform with MBDA air-defense and C-UAS expertise. Target environments include military sites, critical infrastructure, airports, ports and public events.
Source - 2026-01-14 - Market Signal - MBDA formalises robotics as a strategic defence technology focus
MBDA outlined robotics as a strategic lever for current and future defence capabilities. The company framed robotics around mechanics, embedded electronics, algorithmics and applied mathematics for defence systems. The update connected MBDA's innovation work to robotic research, experimentation and future battlefield capability.
Source - 2025-11-14 - Partnership - MBDA Deutschland and brigkAIR launch Swarm Drone Challenge 2026
MBDA Deutschland and brigkAIR launched Swarm Drone Challenge 2026 for autonomous drone technologies. The competition targeted students, professionals and startups developing multi-drone autonomy. The event strengthened MBDA's engagement with drone-swarm innovation and defence autonomy talent pipelines.
Source - 2025-07-31 - Partnership - MBDA and Sòphia High Tech qualify an additively manufactured INVAR radome ring
The programme developed repeatable SLM process parameters and heat treatment for INVAR36. Sòphia produced the ring and completed material, process and machining qualification work. The near-net-shape route is intended to reduce waste, production time and cost versus the prior casting-led process.
Source
Relations
Relationships
- Alta Ares
Elisa Counter Drone Development Partner - Alta Ares and MBDA combine interceptors, guidance AI and weapons integration for France’s ELISA counter-drone programme.
- Unifly
C UAS Airspace Layer - Unifly and MBDA signed a partnership to combine Unifly UTM with MBDA defense expertise for end-to-end C-UAS solutions.
- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems
Uncrewed Aircraft Weapons Collaboration - GA-ASI and MBDA signed an MoU to integrate SPEAR weapons with MQ-9B and Gambit 6 uncrewed aircraft.
- Terra Drone
Counter UAS Partner - Terra Drone group company Unifly and MBDA agreed to collaborate on end-to-end counter-UAS solutions.
- Sòphia High Tech
Invar Process Partner - MBDA and Sòphia High Tech developed and qualified an additive-manufacturing route for an INVAR36 radome ring.
- Fortem Technologies
Partnership - Fortem and MBDA expanded their partnership to offer DroneHunter in air-defence systems and jointly offer their FireThorn interceptor.
Context
Comparable profiles
- ARGUS Interception
stack adjacency - Cuas Interceptor Oem
- Frankenburg Technologies
stack adjacency - Kinetic Counter UAS
- TAF Industries
stack adjacency - Kinetic Counter UAS
- Askari Defense
stack adjacency - Kinetic Counter UAS
- Cambridge Aerospace
stack adjacency - Kinetic Counter UAS
- Skydagger
stack adjacency - Cuas Interceptor Oem · Kinetic Counter UAS
- DroneShield
stack adjacency - Counter UAS System Layer
- MyDefence
stack adjacency - Counter UAS System Layer
- Iron Drone
stack adjacency - Cuas Interceptor Oem
- Alpine Eagle
stack adjacency - Counter UAS System Layer
- Givon Defense
stack adjacency - Counter UAS System Layer
- CACI
stack adjacency - Counter UAS System Layer
Shared workflows
- Axon
workflow adjacency - Counter UAS
- Safran Electronics & Defense
workflow adjacency - Counter UAS
- VisionWave
workflow adjacency - Counter UAS
- Yunxiang Technology / 云翔科技
workflow adjacency - Counter UAS
- SkySafe
workflow adjacency - Counter UAS
- Esh-Tech Systems
workflow adjacency - Counter UAS
- BALOR Laser Defense
workflow adjacency - Counter UAS
- Squarehead Technology
workflow adjacency - Counter UAS
- Aaronia
workflow adjacency - Counter UAS
- Monava
workflow adjacency - Counter UAS
- Honeywell Aerospace
workflow adjacency - Counter UAS
- Terra Drone
workflow adjacency - Counter UAS
Context tags
- C-UAS interceptor OEM - Stack Layer - MBDA unveiled and is industrialising a purpose-built counter-UAS interceptor.
- Counter-UAS - Workflow - MBDA is developing the Counter Mass Interceptor for small-drone saturation attacks.
- Kinetic counter-UAS - Capability - The Counter Mass Interceptor is a physical interceptor designed to defeat mass drone attacks.
- Counter-UAS system layer - Stack Layer - MBDA is developing the interceptor as part of a broader layered counter-UAS portfolio.
Commercial
- Intracom Defense wins MBDA Deutschland DefendAir datalink contract
2026-07-01 · Order / contract · Intracom Defense signed a contract with MBDA Deutschland for development and series production of the datalink solution for the DefendAir anti-drone missile.
Source