The European defence company MBDA has signed its first export contract with a Middle Eastern country for its advanced Counter-UAS (C-UAS) solution, Sky Warden. The company stated that the agreement was made in line with its goal of protecting the security of global partners.
MBDA Executive Group Director for Sales and Business Development Lorenzo Mariani emphasized that the signed contract reflects the company’s commitments. The Sky Warden system was selected by Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, as the “best system to protect EU borders,” receiving the 2025 C-UAS Award. The system can detect and neutralize a wide range of threats—from micro-drones to tactical UAVs—at distances of up to eight kilometers. It incorporates advanced sensors, AI-supported identification capability, and a scalable architecture.
Technical Features of Sky Warden and Its Frontex Achievement
Sky Warden has a multi-layered defence architecture. Among the effectors used in the system are the HELMA-P laser weapon produced by CILAS, directional and omnidirectional jammers, Hit-to-Kill drone interceptors developed by MBDA, and the Mistral 3 missile. Its modular design allows the system to be deployed in a variety of missions, from protecting fixed facilities to mobile, vehicle-mounted use. It can also be integrated with medium-range air defence systems such as VL MICA or CAMM-ER.
MBDA announced that development work on Sky Warden is ongoing. The company recently completed the acquisition of CILAS, the manufacturer of the HELMA-P laser.
MBDA, which has more than 18,000 employees, is jointly owned by Airbus (37.5%), BAE Systems (37.5%), and Leonardo (25%). The company has served the defence needs of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom.
SOURCE: C4Defence / MBDA
