MBDA has received a contract from Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) for the integration of the Mistral ATAM anti-air missile system on the Korean Marine Attack Helicopter (KMAH).

Eric Béranger, CEO of MBDA said: “We are proud to be partnered again with Korea Aerospace Industries to arm a Korean military aircraft. This contract cements Mistral ATAM’s place as a world’s leading helicopter launched anti-air missile system.”

Mistral ATAM is based on the Mistral short-range anti-air missile, known for its fire-and-forget engagement mode, ease of operation and unrivalled kill probability. The ATAM system includes two launchers per helicopter, each carrying two missiles. Man-portable Mistral air defence systems are also in-service with Republic of Korea’s Armed Forces.

MBDA is a world leader in missile systems, with over 60 years’ experience developing cutting-edge missiles in cross-border partnerships that makes the company a natural partner to accelerate domestic development programmes. MBDA and KAI are also working together to integrate the Meteor beyond visual range missile onto the KF-21 Boromae fighter aircraft.

MBDA is a unique multi-national European group, a world-leader in the field of complex weapon systems, playing a key role in keeping nations safe. Created in the spirit of international co-operation, MBDA and its 15,000+ employees work together to support the national sovereignty of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the UK, and their allies worldwide. As an accelerator for innovation, MBDA is the only European group capable of designing and manufacturing complex weapons to meet the full range of current and future operational requirements of the three armed forces (land, sea and air).

Airbus (37.5%), BAE Systems (37.5%) and Leonardo (25%) jointly own MBDA.