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The Mistral weapons system contributes to the air defence at low and very low level of formations and key points of both the French Army and Air Force, and of warships of the French Navy.

The munition itself, which is common to all SATCP and AATCP systems, is the Mistral missile, which is characterized by its man-pack portability, fire-and-forget concept, passive IR homingand extreme simplicity of operation.

The first version of the missile, the S1, commenced deliveries in 1989 and the second, the S2, with greater manoeuvrability and improved aerodynamics, was developed with a view to its installation on the Tigre helicopter. Deliveries to the French forces began in 1997.

The basic unit consists of a munition and the "Trépied"(Tripod) fire unit.

The same munition has since been adapted to different launchers:

  SADRAL and SIMBAD system on French Navy warships,
  ASPIC system on the "PEUGEOT P4" vehicle for the French Air Force,
  PAMELA installation on the ACMAT or TRM 2 000 vehicle for the French Army,
  AATCP system on Gazelle and Tigre HAP helicopters for the French Army.

In addition, training and support equipment were delivered between 1993 and 1998.