Anticipating Hypersonic Ballistic Missile Attacks, This Is What Western European Countries Do

The biggest fear of European (Western) countries is the arrival of hypersonic ballistic missile attacks because, until now, there has not been an effective way to be able to eliminate missile attacks that fly above Mach 5.

On the basis of the above threats, MBDA developed the HYDIS2 interceptor system to protect mainland Europe from hypersonic missile attacks.

At the Paris Air Show 2023, MBDA led a consortium of companies that joined forces to develop a prototype hypersonic interceptor.

MBDA has signed contracts with four countries: France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands.

The consortium consists of 19 companies and 30 suppliers from 14 European countries.

This was announced by Bruno Verzotti, Director of Future Systems at MBDA.

The program is called the Hypersonic Defense Interceptor Study (HYDIS2).

In the end, it will propose several projects, from which one will be selected for implementation.

In addition to France, Germany, the Netherlands, and Italy, companies from Finland, Estonia, Sweden, Denmark, Romania, Hungary, Croatia, Austria, Spain, and Belgium will participate in HYDIS2.

This project will last for three years.

Bruno Verzotti notes that MBDA has been working on hypersonic technology for four years.

Internally, the project is named Aquila by MBDA, which is Latin for "Eagle".

MBDA has unveiled the Aquila hypersonic missile interceptor concept as part of plans to develop an endo-atmospheric interceptor capability by 2030.

MBDA notably showcased a three-stage rocket design at the Paris Air Show 2023, but said a two-stage concept is also being considered.

Later, Aquila or HYDIS2 will be linked to the European Spaceborne Early Warning and Interception Project.

Funding will come from the European Defense Fund (EDF) and the European Union's ongoing security agency.

Under the first three-year concept phase, €80 million (US$87 million) is required.

It should be noted that the European Union already has a project to develop a hypersonic weapons interceptor missile called HYDEF, which is estimated to be worth over US$100 million.

In Israel, Israeli company Rafale Advanced Defense Systems recently announced the Sky Sonic interceptor system, which will also target the European market.