PARIS — European missile manufacturer MBDA is showcasing three major missile programmes at Euronaval 2026, held from November 3 to 6 at Paris Nord Villepinte, France. The display includes the submarine-launched Exocet SM40, the ground-launched Land Cruise Missile (LCM) and the multinational STRATUS family of next-generation cruise and anti-ship weapons.
The programmes focus on submarine maritime strikes, long-range land attacks and future naval and air combat capabilities.
Exocet SM40: Submarine-Launched Missile
First presented at Euronaval 2024, the Exocet SM40 is the planned successor to the SM39 submarine-launched anti-ship missile. It replaces the older solid-propellant motor with a turbojet engine, extending its reported range to approximately 120 kilometres.
The missile uses digitised avionics and technologies from the MM40 Block 3C, including a J-band active radar seeker and advanced target-discrimination algorithms.
Designed for anti-ship engagements, coastal strikes and attacks on vessels in harbour, the SM40 uses a high-subsonic sea-skimming flight profile. It also features terminal manoeuvrability and electronic counter-countermeasures.
The missile weighs approximately 450 kg, measures 4.2 metres in length and has a diameter of 350 mm. It retains compatibility with standard 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes and the existing encapsulated underwater launch system. This allows integration with submarines without major structural changes and supports launches from different operational depths, including shallow waters.
Land Cruise Missile: Range Exceeding 1,000 km
The Land Cruise Missile (LCM), designated MdCT by the French Armed Forces Ministry, is designed to provide European forces with an independent long-range precision-strike capability.
Derived from MBDA's Naval Cruise Missile (NCM/MdCN), operational with the French Navy since 2017, the LCM reuses established technologies to reduce development risks.
The LCM Mk2, unveiled at Eurosatory 2026, features a redesigned front section, improved stealth, enhanced anti-jamming capabilities and AI-assisted trajectory planning. Its reported range exceeds 1,000 kilometres.
The missile supports GNSS-denied navigation, terrain-following flight and advanced target recognition. Its hybrid GNSS/INS navigation system is designed to maintain accuracy in electronically contested environments.
A mobile truck-mounted launcher carries up to four missile canisters. The system follows a shoot-and-scoot concept, with setup and relocation each taking approximately 15 minutes. Synchronized Time-on-Target (STOT) allows coordinated strikes from different trajectories.
The missile weighs between 1,400 and 2,000 kg and measures 6.5 to 7 metres. Initial firing demonstrations are planned for 2028, with production expected to scale up towards 2030.
STRATUS: Two Next-Generation Missile Variants
The STRATUS programme, developed by France, the United Kingdom and Italy, evolved from the Franco-British Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW) initiative. It is intended to replace ageing systems such as Storm Shadow/SCALP, Exocet and Harpoon.
The programme includes two complementary missiles:
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STRATUS LO (Low Observable): A stealth-oriented, high-subsonic missile designed for low-altitude flight. It uses passive multimode sensors and Automatic Target Recognition (ATR) for deep land strikes, bunker penetration and attacks on high-value infrastructure.
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STRATUS RS (Rapid Strike): A highly manoeuvrable missile designed to reach Mach 3–5. Its active sensor suite and ATR support anti-ship warfare, suppression and destruction of enemy air defences (SEAD/DEAD), and attacks against high-value airborne assets such as AEW&C aircraft and aerial refuelling tankers.
Both variants are being developed for naval platforms, including FREMM and Type 26 frigates, and combat aircraft such as the Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon.
Naval launch options include canister launchers and the Mark 41 Vertical Launch System (VLS). The programme's assessment phase has been completed. Initial full-scale testing is expected around 2028, with service entry targeted for the early 2030s. Development contracts are anticipated in the near term, with STRATUS RS expected to advance first.
MBDA's presentation at Euronaval 2026 highlights its efforts to expand European missile capabilities across submarine-launched maritime strike, ground-based deep strike and next-generation cruise and anti-ship warfare.
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