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A Mistral MANPADS in service with the Spanish Armed Forces. The Spanish MoD has commissioned a study for the 'evolution of Mistral 1 to Mistral 3' for its future very short-range air defence requirements. Source: MBDA
Key Points
- MBDA Spain contracted for 'evolution of Mistral 1 to Mistral 3' study
- Spanish Armed Forces currently operate Mistral 1 and Mistral 2 SAM systems
In July 2016 MoD's Directorate for Armament and Materiel Defence commissioned 'A Study for the Evolution of Mistral 1 to Mistral 3' (Program SEN31511) under a EUR550,000 (USD589,479), sole source contract awarded to MBDA Spain. The study contract was formalised on 8 August, but only recently released publicly. Funding will be delivered in two tranches over the 18-month duration of the contract: EUR400,000 in 2016 and EUR150,000 in 2017.
The study is part of a broader initiative aimed at modernising and rationalising Spain's in-service short-range air defence assets. The Spanish MoD has already decommissioned its ageing AMX-30R-based Roland 1 and 2 short-range air defence systems; a Mistral 3 solution could potentially bridge the gap between the Roland system and a required operational performance enhancement for its Mistral 1/Mistral 2 systems - in man-portable air-defence systems (MANPADS) and vehicle-based air defence configurations - currently in-service with the Spanish armed forces.
The study will focus on the compatibility of the Mistral 3 interceptor with existing Mistral assets in the Spanish Army, Marines, and Air Force, and the capability enhancements offered by Mistral 3 over the in-service Mistral 1 and Mistral 2 variants. IHS Jane'sunderstands that demonstration firings of Mistral 3 are not included in the provisions of the study contract, but the interceptor will be demonstrated to the Spanish MoD in a parallel fires demonstration programme, "so that they can assess its capabilities".
The Spanish MoD plans do not call for an upgrade of its existing Mistral 1 and 2 interceptors but specify the acquisition of new missiles.
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http://www.janes.com/article/65593/spain-considers-evolution-of-mistral-air-defence-assets