---
title: "Europe builds its own shield: Bliksem EXO consortium for ballistic missile interception"
description: "European giants Thales, Airbus, and MBDA have formed the Bliksem EXO consortium to develop an exo-atmospheric ballistic missile interceptor 🚀. The system will be created taking into account the experience of the war in Ukraine, with the first warhead tests scheduled for 2027 🛡️."
date: 2026-07-16T10:20:48.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/europe-builds-its-own-shield-bliksem-exo-consortium-for-ballistic-missile-interception
tags: [thales, airbus, mbda, ukraine, missile-defense]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Europe builds its own shield: Bliksem EXO consortium for ballistic missile interception

![Illustration of a ballistic missile interception in space as part of the Bliksem EXO project](https://xab.info/media/2026/07/16/evropa-sozdaet-bliksem-exo-dlya-perekhvata-raket/evropa-sozdaet-bliksem-exo-dlya-perekhvata-raket-1.webp)

On July 14 in Paris, a document was signed marking a new chapter in the history of the European defense industry. Leading aerospace and defense corporations on the continent — Thales, Airbus, MBDA Deutschland, Safran, as well as the startup Destinus — have joined forces to form the Bliksem EXO consortium. Their ambitious goal is to develop an independent missile defense system capable of intercepting medium- and intermediate-range ballistic missiles outside the atmosphere.

### Technological breakthrough and role distribution

The system being created is intended to address modern threats, including missiles with maneuverable warheads. In a press release, Thales emphasized that the solution must be capable of neutralizing threats of the "Oreshnik" class. To realize this project, the companies signed a letter of intent, which is planned to be transformed into a legally binding agreement within the next three months.

Within the consortium, roles are distributed based on the partners' competencies:

    - **Destinus:** The startup has taken on the role of the lead company, responsible for system integration and the development of the Exo-atmospheric Kill Vehicle (EKV) warhead.

    - **MBDA Deutschland:** Is engaged in creating the interceptor missile itself, as well as launchers and containers.

    - **Safran Electronics & Defense:** Is developing critical guidance, navigation, and control systems for the warhead.

    - **Airbus Defence and Space:** Is responsible for creating command and control systems.

    - **Thales:** Provides radar complexes and sensors, including those for early warning and control.

### Project roadmap

Although the current agreement does not yet oblige the parties to finance development or purchase the finished system, the work schedule has already been defined. Joint engineering work is scheduled to begin in August of this year. A key milestone will be the testing of the warhead of the future exo-atmospheric interceptor missile, planned for 2027.

A unique feature of the program is its practical orientation. During the design and evaluation of the system, developers will rely on the operational experience of Ukraine, accumulated during the resistance to massive Russian missile attacks. This will allow the creation of a solution adapted to the real conditions of modern conflicts.

### Context: Anti-ballistic coalition

The creation of the Bliksem EXO consortium takes place against the backdrop of strengthening the integration of defense efforts of European countries. Just one day before the signing of the agreement, on July 13, it was announced that an Anti-ballistic coalition had been formed, comprising Ukraine and nine European states. The new missile defense architecture being worked on by the consortium is intended to complement existing missile defense systems, including sovereign solutions already purchased or planned for purchase by the coalition member states.