Loitering munition MTO-LP1: Thales and Mistral subsidiary Boreal agree on joint production

Thales has signed a cooperation agreement with Boreal to produce loitering munitions. The Mistral subsidiary specialises in unmanned aerial vehicles and is best known for its high-performance long-range drones of the Boreal Aerial Vehicle type.

The new loitering munition (MTO-LP1) was developed for the needs of France and other NATO armed forces. Its range is several hundred kilometres, and two people need less than 30 minutes to make the system ready for use. Up to ten munitions can be launched simultaneously to coordinate operations.

According to the planned development roadmap, initial operational capability is to be reached in 2026; 1,000 warheads are then to be produced per year.

Further development is planned from 2027 onwards – with enhanced protection functions, more complex mission profiles and a variable portfolio of effectors for precise long-range strikes. The first flight tests are to take place in summer 2025.