Europe is preparing new cruise and anti-ship missiles under the leadership of MBDA

At the Paris Aerospace Salon 2025, they talked about the project of the future European cruise and anti-ship weapons called FC/ASW (Futur Missile Antinavire/Futur Missile de Croisière), which is headed by MBDA. His goal is to create two new modern rockets that will replace the now obsolete Exocet, Harpoon and SCALP/Storm Shadow. These old models can no longer cope with new threats and modern protection systems. The development is underway with the participation of France, Great Britain and Italy, and these missiles will be used in the armed forces of these countries.

The first TP15 rocket is a subsonic, very stealthy and versatile machine. Its speed will be slightly less than sound, and very low radar visibility will ensure low visibility. TP15 will receive a new turbojet engine, which is being jointly created by Rolls-Royce and Safran. The missile will be slightly longer than 5 meters and will be able to pass through the most advanced air defense systems. Like the SCALP, it will have an advanced infrared guidance head, thanks to which it will effectively hit ground targets — warehouses, headquarters, important infrastructure, and at the same time be able to strike ships. The development of this missile is under the leadership of Britain.

The second rocket is a supersonic RJ10 with a ramjet engine. It will be able to accelerate from three to five Mach and at the same time maintain good maneuverability to overcome enemy air defenses. This missile will be controlled using a new generation active radar head, which is being created by Thales and MBDA UK. The main objective of the RJ10 is to destroy targets at long ranges, especially to be used to suppress and destroy enemy air defenses (SEAD /DEAD). This missile is being developed under the leadership of France.

Technological improvements and tests of the components of both rockets are currently underway. Demonstration tests and verification of engines have already been carried out. A preliminary review of the program is scheduled for the end of 2025. Large-scale flight tests will take place from 2026 to 2028. Plans envisage the arrival of new missiles in the armed forces by the end of this decade or in the early 2030s. There are suggestions that the first batch may appear as early as 2028, a year earlier than originally planned.

These two missiles complement each other: one for quiet and precise strikes with subsonic speed and high stealth, the other for high—speed, powerful attacks over long distances and combating air defense systems. This approach will provide Europe with modern and flexible capabilities to strike in difficult conditions of future conflicts.