Europe's MBDA forecasts 40% output surge as Iran conflict strains Western missile stockpiles (updated)

Leonardo SpA

26/03/2026 10:33

Updates and adds details on production, missiles, global context throughout

By Gianluca Lo Nostro

PARIS, March 26 (Reuters) - European missile maker MBDA said on Thursday it expected to increase its overall output by 40% in 2026, with production of certain air defence missiles set to rise even further, as the Iran war piles pressure on Western stockpiles.

 CEO Eric Beranger said the company has spent 1 billion euros ($1.15 billion) on production without signed contracts to fill stocks and keep pace with surging demand.

 Air defence stockpiles are under pressure as conflicts in Ukraine and Iran show how quickly modern warfare drains inventories. A surge in drone and missile strikes is pushing Western governments to accelerate production plans and strengthen interception capabilities.

 Beranger said MBDA had shifted from waiting for orders before beginning production to building up stocks of its most sought-after weapons in advance, especially in air defence.

 "The Iran crisis is... again increasing the need for ramp up for acceleration and of course, further work is underway in our organisation to evaluate further possibilities," Beranger told reporters while presenting annual results.

 Production of Aster 30 surface-to-air missiles, used by Ukraine and Gulf countries to intercept Russian and Iranian drones, respectively, is forecast to double this year, Beranger added.

 A senior French military official told Reuters on the sidelines of a defence forum in Paris this week that Western stocks of Aster 30 and Patriot missiles were falling short of what they should be.

 "There is a fear that there will be a crowding-out effect, everything that is happening in Iran, the number of munitions fired in the region in relation to these missiles," said French general Ivan Martin.

MBDA is jointly owned by Airbus AIR.PA, BAE Systems  BAES.L and Leonardo LDOF.MI.

($1 = 0.8650 euros)

(Reporting by Gianluca Lo Nostro, Additional reporting by John Irish; Editing by Inti Landauro and Keith Weir)

((gianluca.lonostro@thomsonreuters.com))