Denmark has acquired Mistral 3 man-portable air defense systems from France to enhance the protection of its ground forces.
The agreement, signed in Paris, provides for the delivery of 250 to 1,000 missiles manufactured by MBDA France, although the contract value has not been disclosed.
French Defense Minister Sébastien Lecorne confirmed the initial purchase of 250 units, as part of a joint effort initiated at the European Air and Missile Defense Conference in 2023. The project will receive European funding through the EDIRPA program, which supports the region’s defense industry.
The Mistral 3 missiles will be integrated into the Skyranger 30 air defense systems, ordered by Denmark in 2023, which will be mounted on Piranha V armored vehicles. Rheinmetall, the manufacturer of the Skyranger 30, plans to install a dual Mistral 3 launcher on these vehicles. The system includes a 30mm KCE cannon with a range of 3,000 meters and a firing rate of 1,200 rounds per minute, with the option to incorporate anti-aircraft missiles.
The Mistral 3 is a short-range system designed to intercept airborne targets at low altitudes. Equipped with an infrared seeker, it can engage targets up to 7.5 km away and at altitudes of up to 3 km, operating in all weather conditions, day or night.
This acquisition represents a significant advancement in Denmark’s air defense capabilities within the European security context.
Source: Militarnyi | Images: X @RheinmetallAG / @MBDAGroup | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
En marge de la visite d’État de Leurs Majestés Frederik X et Mary de Danemark, entretien bilatéral avec mon homologue danois @troelslundp
Denmark officially confirmed this morning the acquisition of 250 French Mistral missiles as part of a joint acquisition initiative launched during the… pic.twitter.com/hMOtUGVmEE
— Sébastien Lecornu (@SebLecornu) April 1, 2025
