MBDA has enhanced its MISTRAL 3 very short-range air defense missile to effectively engage and destroy fast inshore attack craft (FIAC), a growing threat to naval vessels.
The company confirmed the new capability after the missile successfully completed its final qualification test in Spain.
This upgrade was made possible through advanced improvements to the missile’s flight control, guidance systems, and image processing, enabling effective use in night operations as well.
Previously tested against low-signature drones — including those similar to the Iranian Shahed — the MISTRAL 3 has demonstrated exceptional performance against increasingly common modern aerial and maritime threats.
According to MBDA, “MISTRAL 3 is currently the only combat-tested very short-range missile with verified effectiveness against such targets, day or night.”
