MBDA Advances Stratus Strike Missiles as France’s Development Award Remains Pending

At Euronaval 2026, MBDA outlined two complementary future strike missiles designed to address European military requirements. The high-speed Stratus RS is being developed for France and the United Kingdom, while the stealthy, subsonic Stratus LO is intended for France, the U.K., and Italy. MBDA described the two concepts as different tools for future threats: one optimized for rapid, high-speed engagements and the other for stealth and a larger warhead. The programs are under development, but the available reporting does not identify an open solicitation or a contract value.

The most immediate procurement milestone is a pending development award for Stratus RS. MBDA is awaiting a contract from France’s Directorate General for Armament (DGA) on behalf of France and the U.K.; the award has not yet been made. MBDA’s deputy director for sales and business development, Olivier Gauffin, said the missile’s targeted range would be “far, far, far” beyond the Exocet anti-ship missile’s range of more than 200 kilometers. That is a company-stated target, not a reported final performance specification. Flight testing is expected before the end of the decade, with service entry targeted for the early 2030s.

MBDA says Stratus RS is intended for four mission areas: deep strike, anti-ship strike, suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses, and attacks on large aircraft such as airborne warning systems and tankers. The company describes a high-supersonic missile with a throttled liquid ramjet engine and high maneuverability. It is expected to use a radio-frequency seeker combined with synthetic aperture radar, supporting land-attack and top-attack capabilities. Thales is identified as providing the Stratus RS seeker technology. The reported concept includes the ability to use very low or very high trajectories against difficult targets, including frigates, destroyers, and ground-based air-defense systems.

For contractors, these details point to potential areas of future supplier demand, not an active competition. Companies with relevant capabilities in propulsion, seeker and sensor technologies, warheads, mission software, integration, or launch systems can monitor the program as requirements and industrial arrangements develop. The reported Stratus LO concept is a stealthy subsonic cruise missile with a larger warhead and passive radio-frequency and infrared sensors, without radar. Because the programs involve multiple national customers, prospective suppliers should track how France, the U.K., and Italy define requirements and participation. NATO has called on European allies to rebuild offensive capabilities amid concern over an aggressive Russia on the alliance’s eastern flank; that strategic context may inform demand, but it does not establish a procurement schedule or funding commitment.

• Stratus RS is being developed for France and the United Kingdom; the DGA has not yet awarded its development contract.
• Stratus LO is planned for France, the U.K., and Italy as a stealthy, subsonic cruise missile with a larger warhead.
• MBDA targets Stratus RS range “far, far, far” beyond Exocet’s reported range of more than 200 kilometers; this is a stated target, not a final specification.
• MBDA identifies four Stratus RS missions: deep strike, anti-ship strike, suppression and destruction of enemy air defenses, and attacks on large aircraft, including airborne warning systems and tankers.
• The reported Stratus RS design includes a throttled liquid ramjet, high maneuverability, and a radio-frequency seeker combined with synthetic aperture radar.
• Thales is identified as providing Stratus RS seeker technology; the source also names Naval Group in the associated vendor information, but does not specify its role.
• Stratus LO is described as using passive radio-frequency and infrared sensors, with no radar.
• Flight testing is expected before the end of the decade, and service entry is targeted for the early 2030s; no solicitation or contract value is reported.
• Suppliers should treat the pending development award as a program milestone to monitor, not as an open bid opportunity; potential capability areas include propulsion, sensors, warheads, software, and launch systems.