Europe's MBDA spent 1 billion euros on weapons stocks as Iran crisis adds pressure, CEO says

Leonardo SpA

26/03/2026 09:29

PARIS, March 26 (Reuters) - European missile maker MBDA has spent 1 billion euros ($1.16 billion) on production without signed contracts to fill stocks and keep pace with surging demand, its CEO said on Thursday.

The company has 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 see to evaluate further possibilities," Beranger told reporters.

($1 = 0.8652 euros)

 (Reporting by Gianluca Lo Nostro; Editing by Inti Landauro)

 ((gianluca.lonostro@thomsonreuters.com))