On December 1st, MBDA France acquired the ramjet integration and testing activities of Roxel France. This development – which does not include Roxel’s ramjet integral booster or thermo-structural materials activities – follows the signing of an agreement between MBDA and Herakles (a subsidiary of Safran group), equal joint shareholders of the Roxel group.

Specialising in tactical propulsion technology in France and in the UK, the Roxel group will continue to supply rocket motors for MBDA missiles as well as those of other suppliers. MBDA has now become the technical authority for ramjets in France as well as in Europe.

Commenting on the agreement, Antoine Bouvier, CEO of MBDA said: “By optimising the industrial and commercial basis of their organisations in this way, MBDA, Herakles and Roxel aim to maintain a sovereign capability in France at the best possible cost to the tax payer. This capability is unique in Europe and is one that has been patiently developed over the course of more than half a century. It is a capability that will be critical in the coming years in controlling costs and lead times for future French and European long-range super- and hyper-sonic missile programmes thereby preserving the competitiveness of the missile sector in Europe”.