# MBDA Awaits French Stratus RS Contract

MBDA is developing the Stratus RS high-speed strike missile for France and the United Kingdom, and France’s Directorate General for Armament (DGA) has not yet awarded the development contract. No contract value, solicitation number, or open solicitation is identified. Flight testing is expected before the end of the decade, with service entry targeted for the early 2030s; a separate updated Naval Cruise Missile development contract is also awaiting DGA action.

- The pending Stratus RS development award is the clearest near-term procurement signal. Companies with capabilities in propulsion, seekers, warheads, mission software, and launch systems may find potential subsystem opportunities.
- Contractors should distinguish the Stratus RS pathway from the separate Naval Cruise Missile development opportunity; the signals provide no solicitation details or contract values for either.
- The development and testing timeline points to a long-cycle opportunity for suppliers positioning capabilities for European strike-missile programs, rather than an immediate bid deadline.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Published:** November 04, 2026

### Government Entities
- Directorate General for Armament (DGA)

### Vendors
- MBDA (Missile developer)
- Thales (Seeker technology supplier)
- Naval Group (Vertical launch system provider)
- Dassault Aviation (Aircraft platform manufacturer for a proposed Stratus missile launch platform)

### Sources
- [Stratus RS, for rapid strike, is being developed for France and the United Kingdom, and MBDA is awaiting a development contract from France’s Directorate General for Armament. https://t.co/mzWQRcHiPw](https://x.com/defense_news/status/2117868463905534429) - twitter-defense
- [MBDA high-speed strike missile to have range ‘far’ exceeding Exocet - Defense News](https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2026/11/04/mbda-high-speed-strike-missile-to-have-range-far-exceeding-exocet) - Defense News