MBDA, a world-leader in the field of complex weapon systems, has signed a contract amendment with OCCAR (the organisation for joint armament co-operation) to increase the technical capabilities of the Italian air defence systems based on CAMM-ER for the Italian Army and Italian Air Force, namely Grifo and MAADS (Medium Advanced Air Defence System).

The contract will also see a new multi-role and multi-purpose Fire Control Unit (FCU), developed and designed by MBDA to significantly increase the command-and-control capabilities of the Grifo system. This evolution, implemented to the benefit of the Italian Army, introduces comprehensive evolutions that have been designed over the past 12 months, within the main production contract to strengthen the Italian Armed Forces’ operational capabilities. The agreement also includes the operational validation and the production of the new FCU.

The Grifo system utilizes CAMM-ER - the extended-range missile of the new generation CAMM family - jointly developed in the United Kingdom and Italy for land and naval air defence. The CAMM family can be easily integrated with customer’s choice of radar and C2 to form an Enhanced Modular Air Defence Solution (EMADS).

CAMM-ER, equipped with a state-of-the-art active seeker and a new motor - designed by AVIO - to provide an extended range, was successfully qualified last year and it will replace the Aspide missile used by the SPADA system of the Italian Air Force and by the Skyguard system of the Italian Army.

CAMM-ER is also integrated into Albatros NG, the new generation naval based air defence (NBAD) system, already sold abroad, that optimises the naval surface-to-air capabilities of fleets.

The activity following this new agreement will further enhance the industrial capabilities at MBDA’s Italian sites, especially in the Fusaro one in Bacoli (near Naples), already boosted thanks to recent contracts for CAMM-ER and Aster missiles, supporting the company’s technological and industrial growth.

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 14,000+ 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.