26 countries want the Exocet missile

Press, 28 October 1982, Page 9

26 countries want the Exocet missile

NZPA Paris France has orders from 26 foreign countries for. 2000 Exocet missiles, including the kind used by Argentinian forces during the Falklands conflict. The Exocet manufacturer, Aerospatiale, announced it was stepping up production to meet demand, from 15 missiles a month at the beginning of 1981 to a planned 25 a month by early 1983. Each Exocet costs an estimated SUSI million. The Exocet missile, used to sink the British frigate Sheffield and the supply ship Atlantic Surveyor, was one of the most popular weapons on display at the eighth exhibit of French material for naval forces opened yesterday by the Defence Minis-

ter. Mr Charles Hernu.

Delegations from 98 countries. as well as private arms dealers, will visit the fivedpy show, which has 110 stands. The Exocet fired from a French Super Etendard plane in the Falklands war, can also be attached to French-made Super Frelon and Super Puma helicopters, Mirage 2000, Mirage 50 and Mirage Fl fighters, as well as to British Seaking helicopters. according to the manufacturers. French sources said that at least three Exocets were fired from Super Frelon helicopters used by Iraqi forces in the Gulf War with Iran. Another model, the SeaSea Exocet 38, exists in 18 of the world's navies. The Sea-

Sea 40 model, with a 70km range, has been ordered by 11 navies, and the Air-Sea 39 version has already been sold to seven countries.

Models of two future missiles were presented at the show. An SM39 missile, for use by submarines and which can reach targets up to 60km away, is to be test-fired before the end of the year. The missile will be carried by France's nuclear submarine force.

Also on the drawing board is an anti-ship supersonic missile, which can travel at more than twice the speed of sound. Production is planned for the 19905, and research on the weapon is being carried out by French Aerospatiale and the West German company, Messer-schmitt-Bolkow-Bloem.