Italy Signals Exciting New Chapter in FC/ASW Initiative with MBDA Collaboration

MBDA embraces the Italian Government’s aspiration to collaborate with France and the UK in the Future Cruise / Anti-Ship Weapon (FC/ASW) initiative. A Letter of Intent (LOI) enabling the initiation of essential foundational work for Italy’s participation in the project was endorsed by delegates from the three National Armament authorities: Lieutenant General Luciano Portolano, Secretary General of Defence and National Armaments Director for Italy, Andy Start, UK National Armament Director and CEO of DE&S, and Emmanuel Chiva, Chief Executive of the Direction générale de l’armement, last week during the Paris Air Show.

Involvement in the FC/ASW initiative will provide all three nations with a sovereign next-generation deep strike and robust anti-ship capability to address sophisticated threats. The programme will bolster strategic collaboration on missile technologies among the three countries, establishing MBDA as an integrated European defence leader.

Eric Beranger, CEO of MBDA commented, “We are thrilled with Italy’s ambition to join the FC/ASW initiative. Aligning with our mission as a leader in European defence collaboration – facilitating the sharing of technologies, capabilities, and expertise among our nations – we are pleased that this LoI paves the way for our Italian expertise to contribute to delivering this pivotal defence capability for Europe. FC/ASW will cater to the operational demands of the Italian, British, and French armed forces in the deep strike and anti-ship sectors for decades ahead.”

The FC/ASW initiative emerged from the Anglo-French defence partnership outlined by the Lancaster House treaties. Last year, France’s Direction générale de l’armement (DGA) and the UK’s Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) formalized a government agreement and aligned contracts, launching the preparatory works and assessment phase for FC/ASW.

Complementary missile designs are currently being evaluated to fulfill the needs of France, the UK, and now Italy, delivering transformative capabilities to tackle land-based and maritime threats, fortified targets, and air defence systems at extensive ranges amidst increasingly contested multispace environments.

FC/ASW will enhance MBDA’s portfolio of existing products that continually evolve to address emerging threats.