Mistral missile

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Mistral
Sample of Mistral
Type	Manportable surface-to-air missile
Place of origin	France
Service history
In service	1988 - Present
Used by	See Inventory
Production history
Designer	MBDA
Designed	1974
Manufacturer	MBDA
Specifications
Length	1.86 m
Diameter	90 mm
Crew	1

Effective range	5.3 km (effective against helicopters at up to 4 km)
Warhead	High Explosive
Warhead weight	2.95 kg
Detonation mechanism	Laser proximity or impact triggered

Engine	Solid Rocket Motor
Speed	800 m/s, approx. Mach 2.6 (high supersonic)
Guidance system	Infrared homing

Mistral is an infrared homing surface-to-air missile manufactured by the European multinational company MBDA missile systems (formerly by Matra BAe Dynamics). Based on the French SATCP (Sol-Air À Très Courte Portée), the portable missile later to become the Mistral began development in 1974. It was initially deployed in 1988.

1 Weapon platforms
2 Inventory
3 Combat performance
4 Images
5 See also
6 External links

Simbad anti-air defence missile system

The basic Mistral missile is used with a man-portable launch unit. There are also launch units that allow the missile to be fired from armoured vehicles, ships or helicopters (such as the Aérospatiale Gazelle, Denel Rooivalk, or Eurocopter Tiger).

The two-missile unit installed on ships is called Simbad. The six-missile version is the Sadral. The newly-launched four-missile version is called Tetral.

Mistral entered series production in 1989 and is now deployed by 37 armed forces of 25 countries (8 countries in Europe, 8 in the Asia-Pacific, 4 in South America, 3 in the Middle East), including Austria, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Hungary, Indonesia, Morocco, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, South Korea, Singapore, South Africa, Spain and Venezuela^{[citation needed]}.

Over 16,000 missiles have been sold/ordered. Recently, industrial sources said the Royal Thai Navy has placed an order on several units of Sadral/Mistral air defence systems. The deal is said to be worth between €45.7 million - €76.2 million. The systems are to be equipped on the Navy’s two Naresuan class frigates and two newly built Pattani class OPVs (Offshore Patrol Vessel). Estonia has also bought the missile, deliveries are set to begin in 2008 [1].

The Mistral's operational use encompasses the firing of more than 2000 missiles, with a success rate of 95%.^{[citation needed]}