BRIEF-France confirms launch of joint Mistral missiles purchasing programme with Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia and Hungary

FRENCH ARMED FORCES MINISTRY/MISTRAL MISSILES: * FRENCH ARMED FORCES MINISTRY: FRANCE HAS LAUNCHED A COMMON PURCHASING PROGRAMME FOR THE MISTRAL MISSILES ALONG WITH BELGIUM, CYPRUS, ESTONIA AND HUNGARY

* On June 19, Macron said that France, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia and Hungary had signed a letter of intent for the joint purchase of the French Mistral air defence systems, built by missile producer MBDA, confirming an earlier story by Reuters. * The MBDA company is comprised of key shareholders Airbus (37.5%), BAE Systems (37.5%) and Leonardo (25%).