Deadly French Exocet Missile: Kills and Naval Impact DEFENSE NEWS TODAY

The French Exocet missile is one of the most feared anti-ship weapons in military history. Renowned for its deadly accuracy, it has sunk several ships in major naval battles worldwide. This article explores the Exocet’s development and key technical specifications. We will also look at its most famous kills in combat. Finally, we examine how the missile reshaped modern naval warfare and strategy.

Development and Technical Specifications

The Exocet missile, developed by the French company Aérospatiale in the late 1960s, was designed to serve as a lightweight yet deadly anti-ship weapon. Its name, Exocet, derives from the French word for “flying fish”, symbolising the missile’s ability to skim just above the sea surface while evading enemy radar.

The missile comes in several variants:

MM38: The original ship-launched version, introduced in 1975, with a range of 42 km.
AM39: An air-launched version capable of being deployed from aircraft, with an extended range of up to 70 km.
SM39: A submarine-launched variant, introduced in 1983, that can be fired while submerged, using encapsulated canisters.
MM40: A surface-launched upgrade with a range extending up to 180 km in its latest version, the Block 3.

The Exocet’s key strength lies in its sea-skimming flight profile, enabling it to fly low over the water, reducing its chances of being detected by radar. Additionally, the missile’s active radar homing system locks onto targets during the terminal phase of flight, guiding it accurately to its target.

The Exocet in Action: Historical Kills

1. The Falklands War: Exocet’s Rise to Notoriety

The Falklands War between the United Kingdom and Argentina in 1982 solidified the Exocet’s lethal reputation. The conflict saw the first major use of the Exocet, specifically the AM39 air-launched variant.

HMS Sheffield: On May 4, 1982, an Argentine Navy Super Étendard jet launched an AM39 Exocet at the British Type 42 destroyer HMS Sheffield. The missile struck the vessel, penetrating its side, causing massive fires, and ultimately sinking the ship. The event was a watershed moment for naval warfare, as the attack demonstrated how vulnerable modern warships were to anti-ship missiles.
MV Atlantic Conveyor: Less than two weeks later, on May 25, another Exocet struck the British transport ship MV Atlantic Conveyor, loaded with critical supplies, helicopters, and aircraft. The attack severely damaged British logistics, resulting in the loss of the ship.

The effectiveness of Exocet during the Falklands War served as a crucial reminder for navies worldwide, underscoring the need for improved anti-missile defences and electronic warfare capabilities.

2. Gulf Wars and Beyond

Following the Falklands War, the Exocet continued to cause havoc in various other theatres.

USS Stark (1987): During the Iran-Iraq War, the US frigate USS Stark was struck by two Iraqi-launched AM39 Exocet missiles in the Persian Gulf on May 17, 1987. Despite the ship’s radar systems failing to detect them, the missiles struck the ship, killing 37 sailors and causing severe damage. The incident underscored the threat that Exocets posed, even to advanced naval platforms.
During the Iran-Iraq War, multiple Exocet missile attacks occurred. Iraq’s use of missiles against shipping in the Persian Gulf, including tankers, was part of the infamous “Tanker War,” a period where both nations targeted civilian and commercial vessels to weaken each other’s economies. The Exocet proved to be highly effective against such non-military targets, compounding the missile’s destructive reputation.
INS Hanit (2006): Another major Exocet kill occurred during the 2006 Lebanon War when Hezbollah fired an upgraded C-802 missile, which was largely based on Exocet’s design, at the Israeli corvette INS Hanit. The missile struck the ship, killing four crew members and severely damaging the vessel. Although the target was not a French-built Exocet, it highlighted the missile’s enduring legacy and influence on anti-ship missile technology.

Impact on Naval Warfare

The Exocet missile’s success in combat has had a profound effect on naval defense strategies. Before the Falklands War, many navies had placed greater emphasis on traditional naval artillery and surface-to-surface missiles for ship-to-ship engagements. The Exocet changed that mindset, proving that anti-ship missiles were the future of naval combat.

Missile Defense Systems: The sudden realisation of how vulnerable ships were to sea-skimming missiles led to rapid advancements in defensive systems. This included the development of close-in weapon systems (CIWS) like the Phalanx, which could shoot down incoming missiles in their final approach. Electronic countermeasures (ECM) and decoy systems also saw significant investment to jam or mislead the radar-guided Exocets.
Naval Strategy: The Exocet also influenced tactical naval strategies. Fleets began to disperse their ships over larger areas to make them harder targets for missile attacks. Escort ships equipped with air defense capabilities were more frequently positioned to shield high-value assets like carriers and transports from missile threats.
Surface Warfare Shifts: The low cost, ease of deployment, and effectiveness of the Exocet missile, even against advanced ships, have democratised naval power. Smaller navies with less expensive fleets could now threaten major warships, leading to an increase in asymmetric naval warfare tactics. For instance, a patrol boat equipped with a missile could intimidate much larger ships, thereby altering the balance of naval power.

International User

Many countries, including France, the United Kingdom, Argentina, and Brazil, operate the Exocet missile. It also serves in India, Greece, Indonesia, Iraq, Iran, and Malaysia. Other users include Pakistan, Peru, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, the UAE, and Venezuela.

Its ability to launch from air, sea, and submarine platforms makes it highly versatile. This adaptability has helped the Exocet become a popular anti-ship weapon worldwide.

Conclusion: The Legacy of the Exocet

The Exocet missile’s history of deadly kills in combat showcases its technical prowess and impact on modern naval warfare. From its devastating use in the Falklands War to its role in the Iran-Iraq conflict and beyond, the Exocet demonstrated how missiles could shift the balance of power in naval engagements. Its sea-skimming capability and radar-guided precision made it a weapon that forced ships worldwide to rethink their defences.

Even decades after its first deployment, the Exocet remains a respected and feared missile in the arsenals of many countries. The missile has set the standard for anti-ship weaponry and continues to influence modern missile designs. With its legacy of kills and tactical importance, the Exocet will remain a key player in the history of naval warfare for years to come.