France approves MMP 5th generation missile for semi-desert operations

The MBDA-developed MMP 5th generation land combat missile system has passed an assessment carried out by French Armed Forces and has been declared suitable for use in semi-desert conditions.

The French Army Technical Service (STAT) and the French Direction Générale de l’Armement (DGA) completed the evaluation of the missile system in a month-long exercise from 25 August to 22 September in Djibouti with the support of manufacturer MBDA.

As part of the evaluation campaign, nine firings were carried out with all the missiles hitting their target.

The evaluation results validated the reliability of the weapon system in a hot environment. In addition, the successful programme showcased that the missile system can deliver dependable performance in operational firing scenarios.

Navy commandos conducted two firings from the rigid-hulled inflatable boat Embarcation Commando à Usage Multiple Embarquable (ECUME). The boat is a multi-purpose commando vessel.

This included firing from the sea targeting a land-based target, as well as a target at sea.

MMP becomes the first weapon system of this class of performance to have been successfully implemented on ECUME.

Training by French Forces in Djibouti was intended to resemble the current zones of engagement in the Sahel-Saharan belt in terms of climatic conditions.

The results pave the way for deployment of the MMP weapon system as part of Operation Barkhane in the coming weeks.

Designed for dismounted infantry, as well as for integration on combat vehicles, the MMP 5th generation land combat missile system can hit targets located more than 4,000m away in all conditions.

In December, the French DGA procured 50 missiles and 20 firing posts from the MMP land combat missile system to be deployed with the nation’s armed forces.