Albatros

Albatros is an Italian naval surface-to-air missile system built around Aspide-family missiles for frigate and corvette point defense. Weaponsystems.net says the system entered service in 1977, used Mk 29 octuple launchers, and could be updated for Aspide 2000; MBDA later described Albatros as the legacy family behind Albatros NG.

Albatros, Naval surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense

Image source: Wikimedia Commons Lanciatore Albatros e radar

Profile

Origin: Italy
Built by: AleniaMBDA Italy
Type: Naval surface-to-air missile system
Service note: Cold War-era naval point-defense system
Produced: Late 1970s onward
Developed into: Albatros NG

SAM air defense naval

Specifications

Launcher type: Mk 29 octuple launcher; a smaller quadruple launcher was developed for corvettes
Missile family: Aspide / Aspide 2000
Service entry: 1977
Ready-to-fire load: Four or eight missiles depending on launcher type
Range: 15 km with Aspide; over 25 km with Aspide 2000
Reload stowage: Up to 16 additional missiles with the octuple launcher and reload system

Service And Conflict Use

Service History

In service: Entered service in 1977 and remained in naval service with Italian and export customers before Albatros NG inherited the legacy name.
Used by: Italian Navy, Argentine Navy, Venezuelan Navy

Launched Missiles

MBDA's Aspide compatibility note identifies the legacy Albatros family as the launcher context for Aspide-family missiles.

Launched item

Item type

Launch evidence

Surface-to-air missile

MBDA says ASPIDE 2000 is compatible with legacy ALBATROS/ASPIDE systems, confirming Albatros as the naval launcher family for Aspide missiles.

Sources: ASPIDE 2000

Albatros Images

Albatros, Naval surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense - view 1 — Source: Wikimedia Commons Lanciatore Albatros e radar

Albatros, Naval surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense - view 2 — Source: Wikimedia Commons Aspide launch

Albatros, Naval surface-to-air missile system, Air Defense - view 3 — Source: Wikimedia Commons ARV Mariscal Sucre F-21

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Sources

Albatros | Weaponsystems.netPublisher: WeaponSystems.net | Note: Supports Albatros type, origin, developer/producer context, service entry, launcher configuration, range, and shipboard Aspide relationship. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 MBDA awarded first contract for its new Albatros NG systemPublisher: MBDA | Note: Supports legacy Albatros service with the Italian Navy and export customers, plus the Albatros NG successor relationship. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 ASPIDE 2000Publisher: MBDA | Note: Supports Albatros/Aspide compatibility and the upgraded missile context for the legacy naval system family. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Wikimedia Commons Lanciatore Albatros e radarPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for the Albatros launcher close-up and its Commons licensing context. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Wikimedia Commons Aspide launchPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for an Aspide launch from an Albatros-linked shipboard system and its Commons licensing context. | Accessed: 2026-06-23 Wikimedia Commons ARV Mariscal Sucre F-21Publisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Supports image provenance for a shipboard Albatros launcher view and its Commons licensing context. | Accessed: 2026-06-23