MBDA has delivered the first series production batch of the new fully digitised MILAN ADT (ADvanced Technologies) firing post to South Africa. In addition to this latest generation firing post, developed and produced by MBDA Deutschland/LFK in Germany, the delivery also included MILAN 3 munitions and a training simulator. Troop trials with the system by the customer are already under way.

During acceptance of the firing posts at the MBDA Deutschland/LFK site at Schrobenhausen in December 2007, the customer checked and confirmed the functionality of five units. In addition, the maintenance equipment, initial spares package and logistic and maintenance systems for product support were demonstrated and also received customer acceptance.

The order for the MILAN ADT firing posts, MILAN 3 munitions and STC simulators was placed by South Africa for its infantry and special units on 20 December 2006.

The new digital technology of the MILAN ADT firing post improves Detection, Recognition and Identification (DRI) capabilities and also provides distinct advantages with regard to maintenance and training tools. The universal deployability, high effectiveness and proven reliability of MILAN has resulted in its selection by 44 nations to date with a total of 360,000 MILAN guided missiles and approximately 10,000 firing posts having been sold. Some 10,000 missiles have been fired in operations and out of a total of over 100,000 firings; the hit rate has been confirmed at 95%.

The MILAN ADT (ADvanced Technologies) firing post is easy to use, light and can be used for either mounted or dismounted operations. Fully digitised, the new firing post allows real environment simulated combat training to be carried out without the need for costly training rounds. It is also compatible with all generations of MILAN munitions. MILAN has been developed to destroy the full range of armoured and soft targets that might possibly feature in modern combat.