Akeron Missiles Found in Bari: MBDA Confirms Authorisation of French Carrier
MBDA France acknowledges a marking defect on the missiles seized in Italy, but confirms that the carrier was authorised. The man remains in provisional detention.
Anti-tank Missiles in a Van: MBDA Admits a Marking Problem
Three weeks after the arrest of a French national in Bari at the end of June, the case has taken a new turn. According to France Info, weapons manufacturer MBDA France confirmed on Thursday 27 August to France Télévisions that the carrier in question was indeed authorised to transport the Akeron anti-tank missiles found in his vehicle.
"The carrier was indeed authorised and had the habit of working with MBDA," a spokesman for the group said. The man, still held in provisional detention in Italy, is under investigation for arms trafficking.
Inert Models, But Poorly Identified
MBDA assures that the three missiles seized did not constitute operational weapons. These were "test models" devoid of any pyrotechnic material, the company clarifies. The group nonetheless acknowledges a shortcoming in their identification: "The problem concerns a marking incident," it explained. The sign intended to indicate the inert nature of the material "was not present on all the material".
This marking defect is at the heart of the confusion that led to the carrier's arrest during a roadside check in Italy.
MBDA Says It Is Monitoring the File "With Attention"
The group specifies that the transport of this type of equipment by road is common within the framework of its activities. MBDA further states that it is not directly targeted by the legal proceedings initiated by the Italian authorities, whilst indicating that it has "immediately transmitted all the documentation" to investigators and is monitoring "the file with attention".
The carrier, whose identity has not been made public, remains in provisional detention in Italy pending the continuation of the investigation.
Source: France Info