QinetiQ’s Banshee Jet 40+ aerial target has officially been cleared for operations at NATO’s key missile training site in Crete, expanding its role in preparing allied forces for air and missile defence missions.
The recent certification means all variants of the Banshee family – including the more powerful Jet 80+ – are now fully approved for use at the NATO Missile Firing Installation (NAMFI). The facility, located in Crete, enables European militaries to sharpen their air defence skills and boost readiness in the face of evolving aerial threats.
“With this latest qualification, QinetiQ is proud to offer its entire range of proven aerial and sea surface targets to support Europe’s defence forces in developing the skills and readiness they need to confront modern threats,” said Spyros Exarchos, Business Development Manager at QinetiQ.
QinetiQ will continue to serve as a key provider of targets at NAMFI, offering a variety of simulated threat profiles through its aerial target portfolio. These include fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles, UAVs and even tactical ballistic missile simulations.
This milestone not only supports NATO training objectives, but also reinforces the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) — a German-led multinational programme to boost integrated air and missile defence capabilities across the continent.
With ESSI partner nations able to train at NAMFI using the Banshee targets, the system will support exercises involving advanced systems like the IRIS-T SLM, a surface-launched missile designed to shield ground troops and infrastructure from air attacks.
