MBDA has completed a new validation firing of the TESEO MK2/E anti-ship missile for the Italian Navy, with the weapon undertaking an approximately 20-minute controlled cruise flight as the programme moves towards first deliveries in 2028, according to the company.
The firing was conducted as part of the multi-year development and qualification programme for the new missile, which is intended to replace and substantially expand the capabilities of earlier members of the TESEO family, known internationally as OTOMAT.
MBDA said the latest trial successfully validated the missile’s range and the overall design of the system, following an earlier firing in 2024 which focused on new missile components and aerodynamics.
The company said: “The test successfully validated the missile’s range, during an approximately 20-minute piloted cruise flight of the TESEO MK2/E.”
It added: “The trial validates the overall design of this new generation anti-ship system and paves the way for a swift conclusion of the development phase.”
The programme is now expected to move towards production within the timetable agreed with the Italian Navy, with MBDA targeting a first delivery in 2028.
Development of TESEO MK2/E began under a 2021 contract with Italy’s National Directorate of Naval Armaments covering development, integration and qualification. A separate production contract followed in 2025.
The missile is being developed for a broad range of Italian Navy surface combatants, including the PPA multi-purpose combat ships, future DDX destroyers, FREMM frigates and Horizon-class destroyers.
MBDA also said TESEO MK2/E will be integrated aboard the future FREMM EVO frigates and could be adapted for international customers.
The new missile is intended to do more than engage ships. Its guidance and mission systems are designed to support attacks against both maritime and land targets at greater ranges than previous TESEO variants. Among the major changes is a new Active Electronically Scanned Antenna radio-frequency seeker, intended to improve target detection and engagement performance in contested environments.
TESEO MK2/E also introduces shorter reaction times and more advanced mission planning, together with a satellite data link allowing the missile to be controlled and updated while in flight. That combination gives operators the ability to modify aspects of an engagement after launch rather than relying entirely on a pre-programmed flight profile. MBDA said the extended reach of the weapon should also allow launching ships to remain further away from defended targets, increasing stand-off distance for their crews.
Renzo Tosini, Executive Vice President Sales & Business Development and Managing Director of MBDA Italia, said: “I am extremely proud of this result, which will guarantee a unique sovereign capability to Italy and the Italian Navy and will pave the way for further international success for MBDA, thanks to the system’s cutting-edge anti-ship performances.”
He added: “The success of this firing once again demonstrates that working in total synergy with the customer is fundamental to achieving even more ambitious results.”
Italy seems to be producing a very focused, flexible and effective navy, indeed done so for some years now. The contrast with our own efforts I will simply leave open for debate.