MBDA's MMP 5th generation land combat missile system has been successfully tested in Djibouti prior to deployment in the Sahel-Saharan belt.
The French Army Technical Service (STAT) and the French defence procurement agency DGA, with the support of MBDA, have completed an evaluation campaign of the MMP 5th generation land combat missile system.
The tests were performed from 25th August to 22nd September in Djibouti. The objective of this operational evaluation was to check the suitability of the MMP weapon system for use in semi-desert condition.
For this purpose, nine firings were performed, with all the missiles reaching their target. The results confirm the reliability of the weapon system in a hot environment as well as its performance in operational firing scenarios.
Two firings were performed by Navy commandos from an ECUME (Embarcation Commando à Usage Multiple Embarquable) Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat: one against a land target and a second against a sea target. MMP is the first weapon system in this performance class to have been fired from an ECUME.
In Djibouti, French Forces have a training environment with climatic conditions similar to those encountered in the current zones of engagement in the Sahel-Saharan belt. The results achieved during this campaign in hot conditions clear the way for deployment of the MMP weapon system as part of Operation Barkhane, in the coming weeks.