The Teseo Mk2/E is a long-range anti-ship missile system developed by MBDA to meet the long-term operational needs for shipborne deployment.
Building on the in-service Teseo Mk2/A anti-ship missile system, the latest iteration introduces more advanced technologies and a fully matured dual-role capability, allowing it to execute both naval and land-based targets.
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The Teseo Mk2/E undertook its first successful test firing in October 2024 as part of a multi-year development programme conducted with the Italian Navy.
Teseo Mk2/E design and features
The missile has an approximate mass of 700kg at the start of its cruise phase. Overall length remains below 5m, increasing to under 5.5m when contained within its launch canister.
The Teseo Mk2/E is designed to engage targets at well over 350km while sustaining a sea‑skimming trajectory. It flies at high subsonic cruise speed and can execute agile, high‑G manoeuvres during the terminal approach to improve survivability and lethality.
The system supports sophisticated mission planning and swift reaction, including the generation of an automatic firing solution. Operators are able to modify mission parameters in real time to match changing tactical conditions.
A two-way data link maintains control throughout the engagement, enabling in-flight retargeting, mission update or abort if required.
Navigation and guidance
The Teseo Mk2/E is equipped with an autonomous navigation suite that combines an inertial navigation system with GPS and a radar altimeter.
The missile can follow four-dimensional waypoints defined in space and time, allowing planners to specify an exact time-on-target. Its flight profile is automatically adapted to preserve a sea-skimming altitude and can transition to overland flight where necessary.
In the terminal phase, the weapon is guided by an advanced dual-mode seeker in the nose section.
A coherent radio-frequency sensor, combined with electronic counter-countermeasures (ECCM) and an electro-optical channel, provides a high level of accuracy against both maritime and land objectives, even in contested electromagnetic environments.
Teseo Mk2/E warhead
The missile carries a scalable insensitive warhead with semi‑piercing and high‑explosive effects, intended to deliver tailored destructive power against a broad spectrum of targets. The warhead can function on direct impact or via a proximity fuze.
Mission capabilities
The Teseo Mk2/E is designed to provide credible capability across the spectrum from deterrence to high‑intensity combat, delivering precise long-range strike in complex operational environments while helping to limit collateral damage.
It is intended for use in all weather conditions, both day and night. Its ability to conduct salvo launches with simultaneous time-on-target enables saturation of hostile self-defence systems.
An advanced planning suite underpins rapid reaction and operational flexibility, particularly in congested and cluttered littoral regions. The missile can be integrated in surface combatants of a wide range of tonnage and can also be adapted for coastal defence applications.
A reduced radar cross-section combined with robust ECCM is intended to increase survivability and resilience against contemporary air defence architectures.
Orders and deliveries
In September 2025, MBDA concluded an agreement with Italy’s National Directorate of Naval Armaments for the series production of the missile.
This agreement covers the supply of the new system for upcoming Italian Navy platforms including FREMM EVO-class frigates, MPCS/PPA multi-role offshore patrol vessels and the future DDX destroyers.
The Mk2/E will enter service alongside the earlier Teseo Mk2/A, which is already deployed on existing FREMM and Horizon-class surface combatants.
The latest production contract follows on from a 2021 agreement that financed the development, integration and qualification activities of the missile.
