A new chapter in Europe’s missile history has just been opened. At the DSEI 2025 defense exhibition in London, MBDA pulled the curtain back on its next-generation missile family, STRATUS. Sleek, menacing, and designed with tomorrow’s battlefields in mind, these weapons are intended to replace the now-veteran Storm Shadow/SCALP cruise missiles, along with the Exocet and Harpoon anti-ship systems. It is a bold step that signals Europe’s determination to arm itself with tools capable of striking deep and fast in an increasingly unpredictable world.
The roots of STRATUS go back to 2017, when France and the United Kingdom launched the Future Cruise/Anti-Ship Weapon program. Italy joined the effort in 2023, and what began as a set of acronyms—FMAN/FMC or FC/ASW—has now been reborn under a more resonant name. Backed by €100 million in development funds, the project has matured into a vision of missiles that promise versatility and survivability, ready for conflicts where air defenses grow thicker by the day.
At DSEI, MBDA revealed two striking prototypes: STRATUS LO, the “low observable” model, and STRATUS RS, the “rapid strike” version. Each is designed to launch from land, sea, or air platforms, reflecting a doctrine that emphasizes flexibility over specialization. STRATUS LO is stealthy and subsonic, a quiet hunter able to slip past radars and deliver precision blows deep into enemy territory. STRATUS RS, by contrast, is built for speed—Mach 3 to 5—and agility, a missile that doesn’t just evade defenses but overwhelms them with blistering velocity.
What makes the unveiling fascinating is the design evolution. Earlier concepts had suggested a futuristic, almost sci-fi silhouette for the subsonic missile. Instead, the LO prototype unveiled in London carried a more pragmatic, boxy form, reminiscent of its predecessor Storm Shadow. Far from being a step back, this change suggests MBDA chose maturity and reliability over exotic experimentation—an echo of combat lessons learned in Ukraine, where Storm Shadows have been used to devastating effect.
The RS version, however, is a different story. It embodies the idea of the spearpoint missile: fast, maneuverable, and even capable of operating in an anti-radar role. Against layered, modern air defense systems, STRATUS RS would be the disruptive force designed to tear open a path for other strikes to follow. This duality—stealth and speed—reflects Europe’s effort to cover both ends of the spectrum, ensuring no adversary can feel secure behind radar screens or missile shields.
Beyond the hardware, STRATUS carries a political weight. It demonstrates that European nations can coordinate, invest, and deliver on advanced weapons projects despite tight timelines and complex requirements. At a time when global security is increasingly volatile, the program is a declaration of strategic independence—an effort to secure the ability to act without relying on outside suppliers.
For now, the missiles remain prototypes, but their message is clear: the Storm Shadow era is drawing to a close, and a new generation is waiting in the wings. STRATUS embodies the shift from legacy systems designed for yesterday’s wars to multi-domain weapons tailored for tomorrow’s threats. Whether it is slipping through hostile skies in silence or streaking across them at hypersonic speed, STRATUS is Europe’s bet on keeping its punch sharp in the decades to come.
This is not just a new missile family—it is a statement of intent. A reminder that in the high-stakes chessboard of modern warfare, those who innovate fastest set the rules of the game. STRATUS, unveiled under the bright lights of London, is Europe’s way of saying: we are ready to play.
