MBDA to double Storm Shadow missile production in 2025 amid rising demand

European defence manufacturer MBDA is set to double the production of its Storm Shadow cruise missiles in 2025 compared to 2023 levels, according to company CEO Éric Béranger in an interview with the Financial Times.

The move comes in response to mounting pressure from European militaries, particularly the French armed forces, which have been urging MBDA to accelerate deliveries of its Aster surface-to-air missiles.

“We need to be much more industrial, so to speak, in order to face [the] challenges,” Béranger said, underscoring the urgency to meet growing demand amid evolving security threats.

To address these challenges, MBDA has invested tens of millions of euros into upgrading its production capabilities. Enhancements include the installation of additional robotic machinery and an expansion in the number of work shifts. These improvements have already yielded results, with the production cycle for Aster missiles reduced from over three years to just two.

In a bid to further streamline operations and prevent component shortages, MBDA is exploring increased control over key parts of its supply chain. The strategy includes potential acquisitions of subcontractors and deeper vertical integration.

However, the proposal has drawn opposition from some of MBDA’s key shareholder nations — France, the United Kingdom, and Italy — which are concerned that altering the current production structure could dilute their national influence within the transnational defence consortium.

MBDA, jointly owned by Airbus (France and Germany), BAE Systems (UK), and Leonardo (Italy), plays a central role in Europe’s missile manufacturing sector. The planned production ramp-up reflects growing European efforts to strengthen defence capabilities amid a deteriorating global security environment.

By Vugar Khalilov