France launches upgrade of Aster 30 missile's BMD capabilities

[Zarvan]

Test firing of the MBDA SAMP/T air defence system, using the Aster 30 missile. Source: MBDA
Key Points

• France has signed a contract for the Aster 30 Block 1 New Technology (B1NT) project
• The B1NT programme will enhance the system's ability to intercept ballistic missiles

France has launched a major programme to upgrade the ballistic missile defence (BMD) capabilities of the MBDA Aster 30 long-range air-defence missile.

Announced by the French defence procurement agency (the DGA) on 14 January, the contract with MBDA will involve the development of an upgraded version of the Aster 30 Block 1 called the Aster 30 Block 1 New Technology (Aster 30 B1NT).

The contract also includes production of Aster 30 B1NT missiles for the French Air Force, which uses the Aster 30 Block 1 in its land-based SAMP/T surface-to-air missile system.

Although not stated by either the DGA or MBDA, French media have reported the contract as being worth EUR400 million (USD436 million).

An MBDA spokesperson told IHS Jane's that the upgrade would enable the Aster 30 B1NT to "engage the whole range of short-range ballistic missiles [SRBMs, of up to 1,000 km range] and some segment of the medium-range ballistic missile [MRBM] domain". MRBMs have a range of 1,000-3,000 km, while currently the Aster 30 Block 1 missile can only engage SRBMs with a range of up to 600 km. The range capability of the incoming missile is significant in the BMD scenario as longer-range missiles fly both higher and faster than their shorter-range cousins, making them more difficult to intercept.

The main element of the B1NT upgrade is the inclusion of a new high-resolution Ka-band (26.5-40 GHz) active radar seeker to replace the existing Ku-band (2-18 GHz) seeker on the current Aster 30 Block 1 missile. The shorter wavelength of the new Ka-band seeker, and accompanying new missile calculator, will provide the B1NT with a longer target-acquisition range combined with its better angular resolution than its predecessor, according to MBDA.

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France launches upgrade of Aster 30 missile's BMD capabilities | IHS Jane's 360

 

[rockstar08]

Cant we buy this System ??

 

[IndoUS]

Cant we buy this System ??

Isn't it the same as China's H9 system?

 

[rockstar08]

Isn't it the same as China's H9 system?

You mean HQ-9 ? no , HQ-9 is copy of S-300 ..
this is Italian SAM .. if i am not wrong ..

 

[C130]

KSA should be interested in this. should be able to shoot down Yemen missiles as well as Iran Missiles (some of them)

 

[That Guy]

Cant we buy this System ??

Probably, if Pakistan has the money, which it doesn't, so no.

 

[flamer84]

You mean HQ-9 ? no , HQ-9 is copy of S-300 ..
this is Italian SAM .. if i am not wrong ..

500-600 million euros/ 1 battery (6 launchers + missiles)

 

[Akasa]

You mean HQ-9 ? no , HQ-9 is copy of S-300 ..
this is Italian SAM .. if i am not wrong ..

HQ-9 has little to do with the S-300.

 

[rockstar08]

Probably, if Pakistan has the money, which it doesn't, so no.

its a good SAM, i am sure in 2-3 years we can make some adjustments for it ..

500-600 million euros/ 1 battery (6 launchers + missiles)

but its a very potent SAM bro .. its worth it

HQ-9 has little to do with the S-300.

can you list the major Difference in S-300 and HQ-9 ?
i have little knowledge about SAM's

 

[Akasa]

can you list the major Difference in S-300 and HQ-9 ?
i have little knowledge about SAM's

Besides rocket staging and perhaps looks, there is nothing much that links the two.

 

[rockstar08]

Besides rocket staging and perhaps looks, there is nothing much that links the two.

Ok sorry my bad ... but i think combination of HQ-9 and these Aster , along with SPADA , and FM-90 would be great 2-3 layer air defense

 

[Lord ZeN]

but its a very potent SAM bro .. its worth it

It's good but still over priced.

 

[rockstar08]

It's good but still over priced.

well Price can be negotiated ..
it can compete with S-400 and other SAM's ..

 

[Lord ZeN]

well Price can be negotiated ..
it can compete with S-400 and other SAM's ..

If you guys have cash to spend then you should probably wait for development of Aster 30 Block 2 . It could very well match S-400.

 

[rockstar08]

If you guys have cash to spend then you should probably wait for development of Aster 30 Block 2 . It could very well match S-400.

That's the problem .. No Cash
but i wont mind older blocks of Aster with HQ-9's ..