MBDA receives new order from Germany for Meteor BVRAAMs

European missile house MBDA announced on 21 January 2026 that it has received a contract to supply additional Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs) for the German Air Force (Luftwaffe).

Following previous Meteor orders, this latest contract for the missile was awarded to MBDA by the Meteor Integrated Joint Programme Office (IJPO) on behalf of the German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw).

Production of the Meteor is the result of a collaborative consortium of European partners, led by MBDA, that involves Germany, the UK, France, Italy, Spain and Sweden.

The Meteor BVRAAM is equipped with a ramjet propulsion system using a solid fuel, variable flow, ducted rocket engine produced in Germany by MBDA subsidiary Bayern-Chemie. This ramjet motor provides the missile with thrust all the way to target intercept, giving it a ‘no escape zone’ larger than many other comparable missiles.

Combat air platforms around the world that are equipped with the Meteor missile include the Eurofighter Typhoon, Dassault Rafale, Saab Gripen and KAI KF-21 Boramae. In 2025, meanwhile, there was progress with the weapon’s integration onto the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter with its first flight on an F-35B and a ground test ahead of first flight on an F-35A.

In November 2025 the Brazilian Air Force successfully conducted the first test firings of Meteor missiles from its F-39E Gripen E fighters.

“Meteor is a defining example of the strength of multinational collaboration in delivering world-leading defence capabilities,” MBDA CEO Eric Béranger was quoted as saying in a company press release. “This latest contract from Germany, one of the missile’s development partners, reflects continued confidence in a programme that unites cutting-edge technologies from six European nations, through a unique partnership led by MBDA, to deliver a common decisive military capability. In 2025 we saw another successful year for Meteor, as nations continued to invest in its air dominance and secure the sovereignty of their airspaces.”

The Meteor’s ramjet propulsion system powers it all the way to the target, giving the missile a significant ‘no escape zone’. [MBDA]