At the Farnborough International Airshow, MBDA Italia is showcasing its new MANPADS VSHORAD (Man Portable Air Defence System/ Very Short Range Air Defence) solution, under development for the Italian Army and ready for commercialisation for export customers.

The new VSHORAD missile is a supersonic, fire-and-forget, all-day interceptor, equipped with a seeker featuring image processing capability. The new VSHORAD is though to effectively counter fighters, helicopters and small drones. Its design will allow for easy integration both on current vehicles, such as IDV's VTLM2 with Leonardo turret (a model of which is on display at MBDA's stand), and future vehicles equipped with automated turrets.

Due to its shoulder-mounted transportability, this VSHORAD solution will be ideal for paratroop and amphibious forces, but will also offer tactical advantage when used on military vehicles. Indeed, the system can be easily integrated into SkyWarden - MBDA's flagship system for Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (C-UAS) - which is modular, scalable and evolvable.

The MANPADS VSHORAD missile is being developed following an operational requirement expressed last year by the Italian Army for a shoulder-launched, ultra-short-range air defence missile. The system's characteristics and performance are fully compliant with NATO standards. Capitalising on MBDA's know-how in the design and development of air defence systems, the new missile will contribute to strengthening the company's offer of a European multi-level air defence capability, ranging from ultra-short-range to future anti-ballistic and anti-hypersonic defence.

Giovanni Soccodato, MBDA Executive Group Director of Sales and Business Development and Managing Director of MBDA Italia, commenting on the presence of MBDA's new MANPADS VSHORAD missile stated: "Short- and very-short range air defence is increasingly important for guaranteeing the safety of people and territories. Our new MANPADS VSHORAD missile, exhibited for the first time at an international exhibition here at Farnborough Airshow 2024, represents the system that MBDA Italia is developing in response to this clear requirement by the Italian Army."

Soccodato also pointed out that "in line with MBDA's global product strategy, we are working on an innovative very short-range man portable air defence system, which will enrich our air defence portfolio,  consisting today of multi-system, multi-range and multi-level solutions. To do this, we can count on the company's experience in the design and development of solutions that satisfy the complete range of requirements, taking advantage of the skills acquired thanks to the co-operation between the various national entities of the MBDA group, which allows us to create completely made in Europe products and systems."