On June 17, 2025, the upgraded version of the MISTRAL 3 air defense missile passed its final qualification test in Spain. This successful launch confirmed that the missile can now target and destroy small, fast-moving boats – known as Fast Inshore Attack Craft (FIAC) – even at night. It follows a previous test in July 2024, where the missile successfully intercepted drone targets with very weak infrared signatures, a growing challenge for modern defence systems. Thanks to improvements in flight control, guidance and image processing, the MISTRAL 3 can now stop lightweight FIAC boats and other small naval threats, including unmanned surface vessels (USV). These kinds of threats are becoming more common in today’s conflicts. MISTRAL 3 is currently the only combat-proven, very short-range air defence missile with proven performance against these types of targets, both during the day and at night.
The missile is used in the SIMBAD-RC Remotely Controlled Weapon Station, which has also been upgraded to better protect ships from mass attacks. Together, these improvements offer stronger self-defence for naval platforms against both traditional air threats and newer maritime dangers. In the July 2024 test, MISTRAL 3 also showed better performance in its anti-drone mode by successfully shooting down a Shahed-type drone. This upgrade strengthens MBDA’s broader anti-drone system, known as SKY WARDEN, in which MISTRAL 3 plays a key role. With these successful tests, the upgraded MISTRAL 3 is now fully qualified to counter the new threats that armed forces face today. The updates make the system more versatile and effective across a wider range of air and naval threats. They also highlight MBDA’s commitment to helping our armed forces maintain an edge by offering modern, reliable and sovereign solutions to today’s fast-changing challenges.
The MISTRAL 3 Short-range air defense (SHORAD) missile is a versatile multi-domain, multiplatform (army, navy and air) combat proven missile which offers comprehensive protection capability against a wide range of threats, with an over 96% success rate. MISTRAL 3 is the latest version of a long success story that began in the early 90s, perfectly adapted to today’s and future threats. MISTRAL 3 is a fire-and-forget missile, guaranteeing the same level of outstanding performances. Unlike beam-riding systems, the Mistral terminal accuracy on manoeuvring target is not dependent of the operator’s skills and hence doesn’t need intensive and permanent training, whatever the gunner and the launcher.
The Missile Transportable Anti-aérien Léger (English: Transportable lightweight anti-air missile), commonly called Mistral, is a family of French infrared homing multipurpose short range air defense system manufactured by MBDA France (formerly by Matra Défense and then Matra BAe Dynamics). Based on the French SATCP (Sol-Air à Très Courte Portée), the development of the portable system later to become the Mistral began in 1974. The first versionThe Mistral entered production in 1989 and is now deployed in various forms by 37 armed forces of 25 countries including Austria, the Brazilian Marine Corps, Chile, Colombia, Cyprus, Ecuador, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Indonesia, Morocco, New Zealand, Oman, Pakistan, Philippines, South Korea, Singapore, Spain, and Venezuela. Norway donated their complete stock of Mistral missiles in 2022 to Ukraine. of the system was introduced in 1990 (Mistral 1), the second in 1998 (Mistral 2), and the third in 2013 (Mistral 3).
