SPIMM is a containerised air and surface defence solution that can be deployed at sea and on land. Credit: MBDA.

MBDA and Terma have announced plans to develop a containerised air and surface defence system for deployment on ships, offshore facilities and land-based sites.

Dubbed the Self Protection Integrated Mistral 3 Module (SPIMM), the system will combine MBDA’s SIMBAD-RC4 weapon system, which uses the Mistral 3 missile, with threat-detection sensors and a combat management system.

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The announcement follows a cooperation agreement signed by the companies at Eurosatory in June this year.

The multi-mission capabilities of the MISTRAL 3 will enable the system to counter air and surface threats including cruise missiles, uncrewed aerial vehicles, aircraft, helicopters, uncrewed surface vessels, rigid-hulled inflatable boats, fast inshore attack craft, and one way attack boats.

SPIMM will be housed in a standard ISO container and designed to operate with a power supply, without relying on a host vessel’s existing combat system.

The companies said this would allow it to be transferred between vessels and land-based locations as operational requirements change.

Terma’s command-and-control system, derived from its C-FLEX system, will combine sensor and track information into a single tactical display.

The system is intended to support crew decision-making and coordinate responses through an integrated combat management function.

Beyond naval vessels, the proposed system is intended for offshore oil and gas platforms, ports, naval bases, industrial sites and other coastal or land-based positions.

MBDA CEO Jean-Brice Dumont said: “European cooperation continues to be at the heart of MBDA’s DNA. This exciting new step with Terma, developed in the framework of our industrial cooperation initiative in Denmark, shows our shared commitment to deliver a more agile approach to force protection in order to address rapidly evolving threats.

“With SPIMM, we are leveraging the unparalleled efficiency and versatility of the MISTRAL 3 missile and delivering a modular version that can be deployed almost anywhere. Together with Terma, we aim to increase the survivability of our customers’ assets, regardless of their platform’s original design.”