A 46-year-old French national, identified as Regis Normand, remains in custody in Italy following his arrest on charges of arms trafficking. The detention occurred at the southern port of Bari in June, though the details of the case only emerged publicly this week.
Police intercepted Normand after his van disembarked from a ferry arriving from Patras, Greece. During a search of the vehicle, officers discovered three Akeron portable anti-tank missiles, a launch tube, and a training missile that lacked a warhead. Judicial documents indicate that the weaponry had been disguised as NATO training equipment.
Normand, who hails from the Paris region, claimed during questioning that the missiles had undergone repairs on the Greek island of Crete. He stated that he was in the process of transporting the items back to the manufacturer, MBDA France. However, prosecutors have ordered further investigations into the matter, citing significant discrepancies in the provided documentation and a lack of proper permits for the transport of the military hardware.
A French source familiar with the situation confirmed that MBDA had previously “obtained a licence to conduct tests of trial vehicles — that is to say incomplete Akeron missiles — in Greece.” MBDA France has not yet provided a formal response to requests for comment regarding the incident.
The Akeron system is described by the manufacturer as a sophisticated land and naval combat missile, engineered for use in both open field and urban warfare environments.
Authorities are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding the transit of these weapons. The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding the movement of sensitive military technology across European borders and the strict regulatory requirements governing such logistics. The report also notes that also Read: Italy to send air-defence aid to Gulf countries; What are SAMP/T missile shields and anti-drone systems. The report also notes that russians among 4 arrested in France for espionage. The report also notes that ukrainian suspect held in Italy over Nord Stream blasts. The report also notes that french ambush convict has history of violent crime. The report also notes that two die, six injured in Egypt factory accident.