Aster

In 2022, the United Kingdom announced a series of upgrades to its Type 45 destroyers. This included the implementation of the Block 1 version for anti-ship ballistic missile defense.

• Name — Aster • Type — Surface-to-air/anti-ballistic missile • Origin — France & Italy • Is Missile — y • Is Uk — y • Service — Since 2001 • Used By — See operators • Wars — Russo-Ukrainian war • Design Date — 1984–mid-1990s • Manufacturer — * MBDA (prime contractor) • Thales • Avio • Roxel • Eurosam GIE • Production Date — Since mid-1990s • Spec Label — Aster 15 • Mass — * overall • dart • booster • Length — * ftin overall • ftin dart • ftin booster • Diameter — * dart body • booster • Filling — HE blast fragmentation • Detonation — Impact / radio-frequency proximity fuze • Engine — Solid-propellant, two-stage rocket motor • Vehicle Range — 60 km); under development as of 2023 and expected to be introduced in 2030 • Aster 30 Block 0: Medium- to long-range surface-to-air missile. It can pull manoeuvres in excess of 50g. • Aster 30 Block 1: Variant with anti-ballistic missile capability; tailored to counter -class short-range ballistic missiles. • Aster 30 Block 1NT: NT standing for "New Technology", it is a new variant of the Aster 30 designed to counter short and -class medium-range ballistic missiles. • Aster 30 Block 2 BMD: Anti-ballistic missile under development and intended to counter up to -class ballistic and maneuvering missiles. Following a lack of information surrounding the variant, development is considered to have ceased.

In December 2024, during a hearing before the French National Assembly, the Delegate General for Armament, Emmanuel Chiva, announced a significant increase in annual production of Aster missiles, across all variants (Aster 15, Aster 30, Aster 30 B1NT). Whereas the production forecast for 2025 had originally been capped at 32 missiles, a "tiger team"—a tightly coordinated group involving the DGA, industry and the military staff—has enabled a ramp-up to an estimated 80–100 units. The stated objective is to reach a sustained production rate of over 300 Aster missiles per year by 2028. On 13 July 2026, France and Ukraine signed an agreement that would allow it to manufacture under licence Aster air defence missiles.

Current ships: • 1 × (4 × Sylver A43 with 8 × Aster 15 each) • 2 × (6 × Sylver A50 with 8 × Aster 15 / Aster 30 each) • 4 × (FR-ASW) (2 × Sylver A43 with 8 × Aster 15 each, 2 × Sylver A70 with up to 8 × Aster 30 each) • 2 × (FR-ASW) (2 × Sylver A50 and 2 × Sylver A70 with up to 8 × Aster 15 / Aster 30 each) • 2 × (FR-AAW) (4 × Sylver A50 with up to 8 × Aster 15 / Aster 30 each) Future ships: • 3 × Amiral Ronarc’h class (FDI) (2 × Sylver A50 with up to 8 × Aster 15 / Aster 30 each) • 2 × Amiral Ronarc’h class (FDI) (4 × Sylver A50 with up to 8 × Aster 15 / Aster 30 each) • 1 ×

• Illustration — Italian, equipped with Aster 15 and 30 missiles Current ships: • 1 × (4 × Sylver A43 with 8 × Aster 15 each) • 1 × (2 × Sylver A50 with up to 8 × Aster 15 / Aster 30 each) • 2 × (6 × Sylver A50 with 8 × Aster 15 / Aster 30 each) • 4 × Bergamini-class frigate (IT-GP) (2 × Sylver A50 with 8 × Aster 15 / Aster 30 each) • 4 × Bergamini-class frigate (IT-ASW) (2 × Sylver A50 with 8 × Aster 15 / Aster 30 each) • 2 × Bergamini-class frigate (IT-GP-e) (2 × Sylver A50 with 8 × Aster 15 / Aster 30 each) • 7 × (2 × Sylver A70 with 8 × MdCN / Aster 15 / Aster 30 each) Future ships: • 2 × DDX guided missile destroyer (12 × Sylver A50 and A70 with 8 × Aster 15 / Aster 30 each) • 2 × Bergamini class frigate (IT-FREMM-EVO) (2 × Sylver A50 with 8 × Aster 15 / Aster 30 each + 1 × Sylver A70 with 8 × Aster 15 / Aster 30) • 2 × (2 × Sylver A70 with 8 × MdCN / Aster 15 / Aster 30 each) • 8 × MMPC class (1 × Sylver A50 with 8 × Aster 15 / Aster 30 each)

Current ships: • 6 × Type 45-class destroyer (6 × Sylver A50 with 8 × Aster 30 each) Note: Type 45s are under refit for silos to launch 24 × CAMM missiles, which replace the Aster 15 in their role, and thus the Sylver A50 cells may be equipped with only Aster 30 missiles.

Current ships: • 1 × (2 × Sylver A50 with 8 × Aster 15 each)

Current ships: • 1 × (FR-ASW) (2 × Sylver A43 with 8 × Aster 15 each) • 2 × Bergamini-class frigate (IT-GP) (2 × Sylver A50 with 8 × Aster 15 / Aster 30 each)

Current ships: • 1 × (FDI-class) (3 × Sylver A50 with 8 × Aster 15 / Aster 30 each) Future ships: • 3 × (FDI-class) (3 × Sylver A50 with 8 × Aster 15 / Aster 30 each) • 1 × Bergamini-class frigate (IT-GP) (2 × Sylver A50 with 8 × Aster 15 / Aster 30 each) • 1 × Bergamini-class frigate (IT-ASW) (2 × Sylver A50 with 8 × Aster 15 / Aster 30 each)

Current ships: • 1 × (FREMM FR-ASW) (2 × Sylver A43 with 8 × Aster 15 each)

Current ships: • 1 × (2 × Sylver A50 with 8 × Aster 30 each) • 4 × Al Zubarah-class frigate (2 × Sylver A50 with 8 × Aster 30 each)

Current ships: • 6 × (La Fayette-class) (2 × Sylver A43 with 8 × Aster 15 each and 2 × Sylver A50 with 8 × Aster 30 each) Future ships: • 6 × Victory class (evolved arrowhead class) (2 × Sylver A50 with 8 × Aster 15 / Aster 30 each and 2 × Sylver A70 with 8 × Aster 30 each)

Current ships: • 3 × Al Riyadh-class frigate (La Fayette-class) (2 × Sylver A43 with 8 × Aster 15 each)

• Illustration — The "radar module" of the SAMP/T Ground-based air defence system The Aster 30 has been incorporated by Eurosam into a mobile SAM system, fulfilling the ground-based theatre air defence/protection requirement. It comes in the form of the Sol-Air Moyenne-Portée/Terrestre (French for "Surface-to-Air Medium-Range/Land-based"), abbreviated as SAMP/T. The system uses a network of radars and sensors – including 3D phased array radar – enabling it to be effective against various air threats such as aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles, standoff missiles, cruise missiles or anti-radiation missiles. The SAMP/T uses an upgraded version of the Arabel long range radar, developed under the Aster 30 Block 1 upgrade program, in order to extend the system's capability against higher speed and higher altitude targets. The Aster 30 Block 1 can intercept missiles with a range (short-range ballistic missiles). SAMP/T NG uses either the Kronos Grand Mobile High Power or the Ground Fire 300 AESA radars. SAMP/T NG will be delivered from 2025.

• Illustration — Italian Army – 4th Anti-aircraft Artillery Regiment "Peschiera" firing a SAMP/T Aster missile

• In April 2008, RSS Intrepid, a of the Republic of Singapore Navy, shot down an aerial drone off the French port of Toulon during a naval exercise. Then again in 2010, a frigate of the same class, RSS Supreme fired an Aster 15 and shot down an aerial drone off the coast of Hawaii as part of exercise RIMPAC 2010. The RSN conducted 6 successful live-firings of the Aster missile over 11 years. • Beginning with Dauntless in September 2010, all of the Royal Navy's Type 45 destroyers have successfully intercepted Mirach drones with Aster missiles at the Benbecula ranges off the Outer Hebrides, Scotland. Mirach is a jet which flies at speeds of up to at altitudes as low as or as high as. • In December 2011, an Aster 30 missile downed an Israeli Black Sparrow ballistic missile target, the first time an Aster missile had attempted such an engagement. • In April 2012, the, of the French Navy downed a target simulating a sea-skimming supersonic anti-ship cruise missile flying at an altitude of less than 5 metres. It was the first time a European missile defence system destroyed a supersonic sea-skimming missile. The trial was described as a complex operational scenario. • In 2021, during the Exercise At-Sea Demo: Formidable Shield 2021, the Horizon-class frigate Forbin, intercepted a supersonic sea skimming target flying at more than 3000 km/h using an Aster 30 missile. • In Oct 2025, French frigate Alsace shot down a modified MICA air to air missile launched by the Rafale M jet using an Aster 30 missile.

In May 2023, Italian newspaper La Stampa reported that France and Italy had jointly delivered a SAMP/T air defense system to Ukraine. In June 2024, Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced that Italy would be sending a second SAMP/T system to Ukraine. The date of arrival was not announced. On 11 March 2025, Ukrainian Air Force Colonel Yurii Ihnat claimed that the SAMP/T had downed a Russian Sukhoi military aircraft, among other targets. He did not provide any further details. In March 2025, according to the Corriere della Sera, Ukraine had practically run out of Aster missiles and was asking Italy and France for replenishment.

In 2024, during Operation Aspides, it is likely that the French Navy utilised Aster 30 to intercept three Houthi ballistic missiles. The missile was also likely used by the Royal Navy to down another Houthi ballistic missile in April 2024.

• Illustration — RSS Steadfast, a of the Republic of Singapore Navy, equipped with Aster 15/30 • Illustration — The MBDA Aster 30 of the Republic of Singapore Air Force displayed in Singapore Air Show 2020

• Algeria • Algerian National Navy • Egypt • Egyptian Navy • France • French Navy • Greece • Hellenic Navy – Aster 30 B1 for Kimon-class frigates • Italy • Italian Navy • Morocco • Royal Moroccan Navy • Qatar • Qatar Navy • Saudi Arabia • Royal Saudi Navy • Singapore • Republic of Singapore Navy • United Kingdom • Royal Navy

• France • French Air and Space Force • Italy • Italian Army • Italian Air Force • Singapore • Republic of Singapore Air Force • Ukraine • One SAMP/T battery delivered jointly by France and Italy in 2023. The future delivery of another battery by Italy was announced in June 2024. Delivery of an additional battery was announced in May 2025.

• Denmark • Danish Defence – on 12 September 2025 it was announced that Denmark would acquire SAMP/T systems.

• Indonesia • Ministry of Defence (Indonesia) - Indonesia Plans to purchase a Ship-Based Air Defense System (VLS / Vertical Launch System), to be placed on the Offshore Patrol Vessel KRI - Brawijaya and KRI - Siliwangi. Missile variants include the Aster-15 and Aster-30 missiles. • Portugal • 3 FREMM-EVO ordered to Italy, they will likely be armed with the same weapons as the Italian variant. • Sweden • Sweden has expressed interest in acquiring the Aster 30 air defense system from France to equip its new Luleå-class surface combatants. These vessels, currently under development, are intended to enhance the Swedish Navy’s capabilities in anti-air warfare and are expected to complement the existing Visby-class corvettes.

• Belgium • Belgium is looking for a multi-layer air defence system, and has not yet selected the highest tier system. The Patriot system and the SAMP/T NG are competing. • Croatia • Croatian Air Force – In a decisive strategic initiative to fortify its national air and missile defence capabilities, the Republic of Croatia is evaluating the SAMP/T NG missile defence system, outfitted with Aster 30 B1NT missiles. This procurement would underscore Croatia's proactive efforts to bolster its military infrastructure amidst dynamically evolving global security challenges. • Slovak Air Force – The Slovak Ministry of Defence is negotiating and comparing offers for MRAD systems from Israeli companies, American–Norwegian NASAMS and French Aérospatiales SAMP/T system. Systems will replace old Soviet 2K12 Kub systems. Systems should be acquired in 2024. • Switzerland • Following the delays of the Patriot missile systems to be delivered, Switzerland is looking for a complementary system. • The competing systems come from Germany (IRIS-T SLX), South Korea (L-SAM) and Israel (David’s Sling). • Turkey • Turkish Air Force – In January 2018, a contract was signed during a state visit by the President of Turkey in Paris for a project with Eurosam for a future Long Range Air and Missile Defence System (LORAMIDS) for a period of 18 months where Turkish companies Roketsan and Aselsan would participate in the joint-production of the missile system. It was stated that the SAMP/T air defence system project, which was stopped at the end of 2019 due to Turkey's launch of Operation Peace Spring in Syria, came to the agenda at the NATO Summit, and that Turkey, France and Italy would revive the project.