Which African Countries Have Cruise Missiles?

At least seven African countries operate cruise missiles, but almost all of them are anti-ship missiles fired from warships, aircraft or coastal batteries. Only two African states have a documented land-attack cruise missile capability. Algeria’s Kilo-class submarines fired Club-S (Kalibr export) land-attack missiles in a 2019 exercise, and Egypt’s Rafales carry the MBDA SCALP air-launched cruise missile, which Egyptian media showed in 2021. Morocco, South Africa, Senegal and Uganda have anti-ship or air-to-surface cruise missiles, and Libya’s older stocks are historical.

Photo: An Exocet anti-ship missile firing from a warship. The Exocet family is the most widely used cruise missile in African navies. Credit: Marinha do Brasil, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Cruise missile vs anti-ship missile

A cruise missile flies under engine power for most of its route, usually a small turbojet or turbofan, and uses wings for lift, often at low altitude. That separates it from a ballistic missile, which is powered only at launch. Most anti-ship missiles, such as Exocet, Harpoon, Kh-35 and C-802, are technically cruise missiles. Land-attack cruise missiles such as SCALP or the 3M-14 Kalibr are built to hit fixed targets on land at long range. Missile exports with a range of 300 km or more and a 500 kg payload are restricted under the Missile Technology Control Regime, which is why export versions often have shorter quoted ranges. This page separates the two roles.

Algeria: the continent’s deepest cruise missile inventory

Algeria has the widest range of cruise missiles in Africa: Russian, Chinese and Swedish, at sea, ashore and in the air. The most significant is the Club-S system on its Project 636 Kilo submarines. On 29 September 2019, the submarines Ouarsenis and Hoggar fired 3M-14E land-attack missiles at land targets during an exercise. Army Recognition and Spain’s Defensa.com reported the firing, and a 3M-54E anti-ship missile was fired at a sea target in the same exercise. SIPRI also records Chinese CM-302 missiles for a YJ-12B coastal-defence system delivered in 2022, Swedish RBS-15 Mk3s for the MEKO frigates, and C-802A and Kh-35 missiles for smaller warships. Full detail: Algeria’s Missile Forces Explained.

Egypt: SCALP and a large anti-ship arsenal

Egypt’s SCALP EG is the only confirmed air-launched land-attack cruise missile in Africa. The sale was delayed because US-made components fell under US export controls (ITAR). Shephard reported that MBDA replaced them, and Military Africa and Egypt Independent reported in February 2021 that Egypt’s military had shown the missiles. At sea, SIPRI records Egypt receiving Harpoon Block II missiles for fast attack craft and submarines. It notes that the land-attack capability of the ship-launched version was removed before delivery. Egypt has also received more than 100 MM40 Block 3 Exocets for its FREMM, Gowind and MEKO A-200 frigates. See Egypt Rafale fleet and missile boats in African navies.

Morocco and South Africa

Morocco’s FREMM frigate Mohammed VI and its three SIGMA frigates carry MM40 Block 3 Exocets, delivered in 2012–2014 according to SIPRI. Six Harpoon Block IIs followed in 2017 (Morocco Navy ships). South Africa ordered 32 MM40 Exocets for its four Valour-class frigates but cut the order to 17 for budget reasons; SIPRI records delivery in 2005 (South African Navy ships).

Smaller navies and air forces

Senegal’s three OPV-58S patrol vessels, built in France, carry the Italian Marte-2/N light anti-ship missile, delivered in 2023–2024 according to SIPRI. Uganda received Kh-31P anti-radiation missiles with its Su-30 fighters in 2011–2012. Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and Angola currently field no confirmed ship-launched anti-ship missiles, according to SIPRI’s delivery records since 1995.

Turkish example

Türkiye produces the ATMACA anti-ship missile and the ÇAKIR family of cruise missiles. DefenceMENA covers them in ATMACA anti-ship missile and ÇAKIR cruise missile. No African export contract for either missile has been publicly confirmed.

Frequently asked questions

Which African countries have cruise missiles?

Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Senegal and Uganda have documented cruise or cruise-type missiles. Only Algeria and Egypt have land-attack versions.

Does Egypt have cruise missiles?

Yes. Egypt has SCALP EG for its Rafales, plus Harpoon and Exocet anti-ship missiles.

Does Algeria have Kalibr missiles?

Yes, the export Club-S version. Algerian Kilo submarines fired land-attack missiles from the family in a September 2019 exercise.

Does Nigeria have cruise missiles?

No confirmed cruise missiles appear in SIPRI’s records for Nigeria since 1995. Its navy’s patrol ships rely on guns.

Sources

• SIPRI Arms Transfers Database – anti-ship and land-attack missile entries for African recipients (accessed 3 November 2026)
• Army Recognition, 2019 – Algerian Navy fires Club-S missiles from Kilo 636 submarines
• Defensa.com – Argelia lanza misiles de crucero Club-S contra objetivos terrestres
• Shephard – Egypt solves its SCALP problem
• Military Africa, February 2021 – Egyptian Air Force now operating SCALP
• Egypt Independent – Egypt’s army reveals SCALP missiles

Method: deliveries come from SIPRI, and land-attack use comes from documented exercises and official displays. Anti-ship and land-attack roles are separated, and missiles with no evidence of delivery are excluded.

Last verified: 3 November 2026