Mistral missile in new demonstration
MBDA has successfully demonstrated the anti-surface capabilities of the Mistral missile against fast inshore attack craft using a SIMBAD-RC automated naval turret, the company announced on 9 January.
The firing saw the missile fired from land against a fast moving remotely-controlled semi-rigid boat more than 3km off the coast. The demonstration was intended to assess the self-protection capability of a vessel against an asymmetric threat such as commando or terrorist attack.
The Mistral is an air defence missile equipped with an imaging infrared seeker with advanced image processing capabilities that allows it to engage low thermal signature targets - such as UAS, missiles and fast boats - from a long distance.
The SIMBAD-RC is a remotely-controlled very short range naval air defence system that provides efficient capacities against a wide range of threats including combat aircraft, anti-ship missiles and small-sized threats such as UAS. Each turret supports two ready-to-fire Mistral missiles.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology]()
DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology
At DSEI 2025, Red Cat outlines its expansion from UAVs into uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), positioning itself as a multi-domain defence provider spanning land, sea, and air.
-
![Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract]()
Anduril Australia wins A$1.7 billion Ghost Shark XL-AUV contract
The vessels are expected to deliver a major boost to Australia’s undersea warfare capabilities, with production set to start immediately.
-
![Royal Canadian Navy will start operating class 2 UAVs in 2028]()
Royal Canadian Navy will start operating class 2 UAVs in 2028
Acquired under Canada’s Department of National Defence ISTAR UAS project, the drones will be deployed from the Halifax-class frigates.
-
![Newest US Coast Guard cutters go after Chinese vessels sailing in the Arctic]()
Newest US Coast Guard cutters go after Chinese vessels sailing in the Arctic
Cutters Earl Cunningham and Storis have been monitoring five Beijing research vessels navigating in the North Pole.
-
![US Navy selects 25 companies for up to $1.9 billion nuclear submarine contract]()
US Navy selects 25 companies for up to $1.9 billion nuclear submarine contract
The multi-award contract will support the scheduled repair and maintenance of nuclear-powered attack submarines at the US Navy’s primary public shipyards.
