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France Successfully Tests Boarding of MAMBA Missile System on Amphibious Assault Ship Tonnerre.
The French Air and Space Force and the French Navy have just reached a major milestone in strengthening France’s air defense capabilities, with the successful test of loading the MAMBA missile system aboard the amphibious assault ship Tonnerre. This recent demonstration highlights France’s commitment to enhancing rapid deployment capacities, increasing overall mobility, and consolidating interoperability within NATO.
The MAMBA is a long-range surface-to-air defense system that notably uses Aster 30 missiles to intercept aerial threats at a distance of up to 100 kilometers. (Picture source: French MoD)
Known under its export designation “SAMP/T,” the MAMBA has already proven its strategic worth. In May, French forces deployed it to Romania to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank, underlining the importance of integrated air and missile defense at a time of elevated tensions. By testing and validating its ability to embark on a large-scale naval platform, France ensures that the MAMBA can be transported and operated rapidly, both for national defense and to support allied operations.
The MAMBA is a long-range surface-to-air defense system that notably uses Aster 30 missiles to intercept aerial threats at a distance of up to 100 kilometers. Each missile, weighing around 450 kilograms at launch and measuring 4.9 meters in length, contains a 15-kilogram high-explosive fragmentation warhead. An inertial system provides guidance, while the associated Arabel radar plays a key role in surveillance, target detection, tracking, and final missile guidance. Used by several countries—including France, Italy, Singapore, and Ukraine—the MAMBA features a launcher that can accommodate eight missiles, offering firepower capable of countering various aerial threats and enhancing integrated defense capabilities at both national and international levels.
At the core of this success is the Tonnerre, a Mistral-class ship no stranger to major missions. Along with its sister ships, the Tonnerre has taken part in various international operations, ranging from anti-narcotics missions to large-scale exercises such as Operation Polaris 21 in the Mediterranean. The Tonnerre’s versatility and logistical projection capabilities make it an ideal platform to host the MAMBA system.
This successful test reflects the shared vision of the French Air and Space Force and the French Navy: to reinforce inter-service coordination and promote integrated defense solutions. The already proven performance of the MAMBA in ensuring airspace protection, combined with the Tonnerre’s operational flexibility, provides France and its allies with a key advantage in addressing aerial threats and effectively responding to security challenges.
As NATO continues to strengthen its collective security, France’s demonstration of adaptability and readiness underscores a strong commitment to the Alliance’s initiatives. The deployment of the MAMBA aboard the Tonnerre paves the way for new advances in air defense and naval cooperation, further cementing France’s position at the forefront of modern military capabilities.