MBDA unveils Exocet submarine-launched missile to target Navy ships

PARIS – European defense contractor MBDA has developed a new submarine-launched missile designed to destroy heavily defended naval vessels and stealth targets.

The French-made missile, called the SM40, is the latest variant of the Exocet family. The main elements that distinguish it from its predecessor SM39 are the integration of a new J-band radio frequency seeker, new algorithms adapted for high-intensity environments, and double the range, company representatives told Defense News.

“It has twice the range of its class at 120 km, thanks to a new turbojet engine, to regain stand-off range in anti-submarine warfare,” said Pierre-Marie Belleau, head of business development for deep strike missiles at MBDA.

Bello added that the SM40 was developed exclusively to equip submarines manufactured by Naval Group, indicating that both systems will have the same customer base established by the French shipbuilder worldwide.

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The SM39 is in service with several navies around the world, including France and India.

While the new submarine-launched variant is designed to hit highly protected warships and low-observable targets, Bello noted that it also has the ability to attack from land, “for example, to hit a ship in a harbor.”

Like its predecessor, the SM40 uses the same launch method: a powered and guided underwater vehicle. The rocket is placed in a vehicle and is ejected when it hits the surface of the water at a low altitude.

The SM40 is not yet in production, but given that it is based on existing and mature technology blocks, the time required to bring it to market should be significantly reduced, according to an MBDA spokesperson.

According to a company press release, MBDA is displaying the Exocet MM40 B3C at Euronaval, organized here from November 4 to 7, to commemorate the 4,000th Exocet missile produced.