Five European defense companies led by Dutch startup Destinus have signed a letter of intent to form the Bliksem EXO consortium, aiming to develop Europe’s first sovereign exo-atmospheric interceptor for ballistic missile defense with an in-space kill-vehicle test planned for 2027.
The consortium includes MBDA, Safran, Airbus, and Thales, who will each contribute specialized components. Destinus will serve as system integrator and develop the exo-atmospheric kill vehicle. MBDA Deutschland will handle the booster, launcher and canister. Safran Electronics & Defense will provide the kill-vehicle seeker and guidance systems. Airbus Defence and Space will manage command-and-control, while Thales will oversee the radar and sensor chain from early warning to fire control.
The interceptor is designed to defeat medium-range and intermediate-range ballistic missile threats, including Russia’s Oreshnik system with separating and maneuvering re-entry vehicles. Bliksem EXO uses kinetic hit-to-kill technology, destroying targets through direct impact without an explosive warhead.
Europe currently relies on two US-operated Aegis Ashore sites using SM-3 interceptors for exo-atmospheric defense, while Germany is purchasing Israel’s Arrow-3 system. The consortium said Bliksem EXO will close the gap in Europe’s upper-layer missile defense and complement existing lower-tier systems as part of a layered European architecture.
The system will be designed for full interoperability with NATO’s integrated air and missile defense and will strengthen the European Sky Shield Initiative. The program will draw on Ukraine’s operational experience countering massed air and missile attacks. The consortium expects to enter a binding agreement within three months and begin joint engineering work this August.
