MBDA Launches New Exocet SM40 Missile promo simulates strike on Chinese warship

In an impressive display of naval firepower, MBDA, the leading Pan-European missile manufacturer, has introduced a new submarine-launched variant of its renowned Exocet anti-ship missile, the Exocet SM40. This advanced missile aims to bolster the capabilities of modern submarines, allowing them to engage formidable targets with precision and effectiveness.

The promotional video released by MBDA features the Exocet SM40 striking a Type 055 destroyer, a stealthy addition to the Chinese naval fleet known as the Renhai-class cruiser in NATO terminology. This striking imagery not only showcases the missile's capabilities but also highlights the increasing focus on countering emerging naval threats from nations like China.

The Exocet SM40 builds upon its predecessor, the Exocet SM39, and incorporates two major enhancements that significantly improve its performance in modern warfare scenarios. Notably, it integrates advanced technologies derived from the Exocet MM40 B3c, such as a sophisticated coherent J-band RF seeker and updated missile algorithms. These innovations enable the missile to function effectively in high-intensity electronic warfare environments, a critical factor in today’s complex maritime battlespace.

One of the key strengths of the Exocet SM40 lies in its enhanced target discrimination and identification capabilities. It can accurately engage targets even amidst heavy electronic interference, a feature that is essential as naval operations increasingly involve sophisticated countermeasures and detection systems. Moreover, the missile retains the operational flexibility to be launched from extreme depths or in shallow waters, a necessity given the current threats to submarines posed by advanced surface ship detection technologies.

MBDA emphasizes that the Exocet SM40 positions the company as Europe’s leading provider of advanced naval strike capabilities. Their commitment to maintaining a unique sovereign capability for submarine-launched missiles ensures that they remain the sole European player in this domain, offering solutions that have no direct equivalents on the market.

By showcasing a Chinese Type 055 destroyer in its promotional material, MBDA not only highlights the missile's advanced capabilities but also acknowledges the evolving landscape of naval warfare, where the potential for confrontations with sophisticated adversaries is ever-present. As the global naval arms race continues to intensify, the Exocet SM40 represents a significant advancement in submarine-launched anti-ship missile technology, reaffirming MBDA’s position at the forefront of military innovation.

This new missile promises to enhance the strategic options available to navies worldwide, allowing them to respond effectively to emerging threats while maintaining a decisive edge in naval operations.