The French Navy (Marine Nationale) Horizon-type air defense destroyer Forbin successfully intercepted a AASM precision guided munition (PGM) launched from a Rafale Marine using an Aster 30 surface to air missile.
The firing took place on Wednesday, October 15, 2025 and Naval News was aboard to bring you this exclusive coverage, including interviews with the Commanding Officer, Captain Pierre Pasco, as well as with one of the Principal Warfare Officers in the CIC.
This type of firing trains crews to deal with high-intensity situations likely to be encountered by French Navy surface combatants deployed in operation. In this instance, Forbin neutralized, in “Reflex Action Mode”, a AASM PGM representing a fast-moving air threat with a low radar signature and no electro-magnetic signature (it was a IR-guided munition therefore it wasn’t emitting in the EW spectrum). To make the scenario even more complex, the PGM was not targeted at Forbin but at a target simulating a Mistral-class LHD conduction amphibious operations.
“Reflex Action Mode” means the PAAMS (Principal Anti-Air Missile System) aboard Forbin automatically detected, classified and identified as hostile, tracked and launch the missile to intercept the AASM target with virtually no human intervention. In addition the engagement was realistic because the crew didn’t know from where and when the target would appear.
The PAAMS is a joint French, Italian, and British naval air defense system using the Aster family of missiles. It is fitted aboard the Royal Navy’s Type 45 destroyers and French and Italian Horizon type destroyers.
The tactical and technical lessons learned from this firing will contribute to developing the French Navy’s combat capabilities.
This interception also demonstrates the technical and operational capabilities of the Horizon type (Forbin-class) air defense destroyers, relying on trained and efficient sailors with excellent proficiency of the systems aboard the warship.
To date, the MBDA Aster family of missiles has over 250 successful firing, including 100+ operational firings in Ukraine and in the Red Sea. In the Red Sea theatre, the French Navy alone has fired over 20 Aster missiles, according to Admiral Defougère, formerly head of Marine Nationale’s planning and programs and current head of the naval aviation (ALAVIA).
Horizon air defense destroyers MLU program
Horizon type air defense destroyers of the French and Italian navies will soon go through a Mid-Life-Upgrade (MLU) programme.
The two Navies’ Horizon-class combat system MLU common activities are centered on the introduction of a new generation air and missile surveillance and defense system collectively called Principal Anti-Air Missile System New Generation (PAAMS NG) & Long-Range Radar (LRR) and a new EW suite.
Naval News understands that both countries have agreed on the following regarding the upgrade of the radar systems: The EMPAR (European Multifunction Phased Array Radar) rotating C band multifunction passive electronically scanned array radar currently fitted with be replaced with the Kronos Grand Naval by Leonardo (while initially France was pitching the rotating SeaFire by Thales). The legacy SMART L long range radar will make place for the newer and much improved SMART L MM by Thales (while initially Italy was pitching the Kronos Power Shield by Leonardo). The EW suite will be modernized by Thales and Elettronica. The new combat management system aboard the ltalian ships will be the Athena / SADOC Mk 4 by Leonardo while the French vessels will be upgraded with the SETIS by Naval Group.
