MBDA welcomes the Italian government’s intention to join France and the United Kingdom in the Futur Missile ANnavire/Futur Missile de Croisière (FMAN/FMC) program. A Memorandum of Understanding (LoI) setting out the start of key preparatory activities in Italy leading to this accession was signed by representatives of the three General Armaments delegations: Lt Gen Luciano Portolano, Secretary General of Defense and National Armaments Director, Andy Start, UK Director of National Armaments and CEO of DE&S, and Emmanuel Chiva, Deputy General Armaments, at the Paris Air Show last week.
By participating in the FMAN/FMC (FC/ASW) program, the three nations will gain a new generation of longrange attack capabilities and heavy antiship capabilities to counter advanced threats. The program will promote the strategic cooperation of the three countries in the field of missile technologies through the MBDA.
Eric Beranger, CEO of MBDA, said: “We are pleased that Italy is considering joining the FMAN/FMC program. In line with our role as champions of European defense cooperation, committed to sharing technologies, capabilities and expertise between our countries, we are pleased that this MoU allows us to bring all of Italy’s expertise in the implementation of this genuine strategy to the Programs involve defense capability. for Europe. The FMAN/FMC will serve the operational longrange and antiship attack needs of the Italian, British and French armed forces for decades to come.”
The FMAN/FMC program grew out of the AngloFrench defense relationship established by the Lancaster House Treaties. Last year, France’s Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) and Britain’s Defense Equipment & Support (DE&S) signed a government agreement and related contracts that marked the start of preparatory work for the FMAN/FMC.
Complementary missile concepts are being evaluated to meet the needs of France, the United Kingdom and now Italy, providing disruptive capabilities to overcome land and sea threats, difficult targets and air defense systems over very long ranges and in increasingly competitive environments.
The FMAN/FMC will expand MBDA’s existing product portfolio, which is constantly evolving to adapt to new threats.
SOURCE: MBDA