diff --git a/src/modules/mavlink/mavlink_main.cpp b/src/modules/mavlink/mavlink_main.cpp
index 802bc40858fa..a502a3e09939 100644
--- a/src/modules/mavlink/mavlink_main.cpp
+++ b/src/modules/mavlink/mavlink_main.cpp
@@ -513,7 +513,10 @@ Mavlink::forward_message(const mavlink_message_t *msg, Mavlink *self)
 		return;
 	}
 
-	LockGuard lg{mavlink_module_mutex};
+	// No mutex needed: instances can't be destroyed while receiver threads run
+	// (destroy_all_instances() stops all threads first). Pointer reads are
+	// naturally atomic on aligned architectures. pass_message() has its own
+	// per-instance _message_buffer_mutex for the ring buffer.
 
 	for (Mavlink *inst : mavlink_module_instances) {
 		if (inst && (inst != self) && (inst->get_forwarding_on())) {
diff --git a/test/mavsdk_tests/CMakeLists_bench.txt b/test/mavsdk_tests/CMakeLists_bench.txt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..2f9c58883ddc
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/mavsdk_tests/CMakeLists_bench.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,26 @@
+cmake_minimum_required(VERSION 3.5.1)
+
+project(mavlink_forwarding_bench CXX)
+
+set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD 17)
+set(CMAKE_CXX_STANDARD_REQUIRED ON)
+set(CMAKE_EXPORT_COMPILE_COMMANDS ON)
+
+find_package(MAVSDK REQUIRED)
+find_package(Threads REQUIRED)
+
+add_executable(mavlink_forwarding_bench
+    test_mavlink_forwarding_bench.cpp
+)
+
+target_link_libraries(mavlink_forwarding_bench
+    MAVSDK::mavsdk
+    ${CMAKE_THREAD_LIBS_INIT}
+)
+
+target_compile_options(mavlink_forwarding_bench
+    PRIVATE
+        -Wall
+        -Wextra
+        -Werror
+)
diff --git a/test/mavsdk_tests/run_forwarding_bench.sh b/test/mavsdk_tests/run_forwarding_bench.sh
new file mode 100755
index 000000000000..c834d0bdad05
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/mavsdk_tests/run_forwarding_bench.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,117 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+#
+# MAVLink forwarding mutex benchmark runner.
+#
+# Builds the benchmark tool, starts PX4 SITL SIH, runs the benchmark,
+# then collects perf counter data.
+#
+# Usage:
+#   ./run_forwarding_bench.sh [--duration 60] [--rate 200] [--connections 2] [--label baseline]
+#
+# The --label flag tags the output files for before/after comparison.
+
+set -euo pipefail
+
+SCRIPT_DIR="$(cd "$(dirname "${BASH_SOURCE[0]}")" && pwd)"
+PX4_DIR="$(cd "$SCRIPT_DIR/../.." && pwd)"
+BUILD_DIR="$SCRIPT_DIR/build_bench"
+RESULTS_DIR="$PX4_DIR/bench_results"
+
+DURATION=60
+RATE=200
+CONNECTIONS=2
+LABEL="run"
+
+while [[ $# -gt 0 ]]; do
+    case "$1" in
+        --duration) DURATION="$2"; shift 2 ;;
+        --rate) RATE="$2"; shift 2 ;;
+        --connections) CONNECTIONS="$2"; shift 2 ;;
+        --label) LABEL="$2"; shift 2 ;;
+        --help|-h)
+            echo "Usage: $0 [--duration N] [--rate N] [--connections N] [--label NAME]"
+            exit 0
+            ;;
+        *) echo "Unknown arg: $1"; exit 1 ;;
+    esac
+done
+
+TIMESTAMP=$(date +%Y%m%d_%H%M%S)
+RESULT_PREFIX="${RESULTS_DIR}/${LABEL}_${TIMESTAMP}"
+
+mkdir -p "$RESULTS_DIR"
+
+echo "=== Step 1: Build PX4 SITL SIH ==="
+cd "$PX4_DIR"
+make px4_sitl_sih 2>&1 | tail -5
+
+echo ""
+echo "=== Step 2: Build benchmark tool ==="
+mkdir -p "$BUILD_DIR"
+cd "$BUILD_DIR"
+# Symlink the standalone CMakeLists and source into build dir
+ln -sf "$SCRIPT_DIR/CMakeLists_bench.txt" CMakeLists.txt
+ln -sf "$SCRIPT_DIR/test_mavlink_forwarding_bench.cpp" .
+cmake -DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release .
+make -j$(nproc 2>/dev/null || sysctl -n hw.ncpu)
+
+echo ""
+echo "=== Step 3: Start PX4 SITL SIH ==="
+cd "$PX4_DIR"
+
+# Start PX4 in background, capture PID
+PX4_SIM_MODEL=sihsim_quadx $PX4_DIR/build/px4_sitl_sih/bin/px4 \
+    -s $PX4_DIR/ROMFS/px4fmu_common/init.d-posix/rcS \
+    -w $PX4_DIR/build/px4_sitl_sih/rootfs \
+    $PX4_DIR/build/px4_sitl_sih/etc \
+    > "${RESULT_PREFIX}_px4.log" 2>&1 &
+PX4_PID=$!
+
+echo "PX4 started (PID=$PX4_PID), waiting 10s for boot..."
+sleep 10
+
+# Verify PX4 is running
+if ! kill -0 "$PX4_PID" 2>/dev/null; then
+    echo "ERROR: PX4 failed to start. Check ${RESULT_PREFIX}_px4.log"
+    exit 1
+fi
+
+echo ""
+echo "=== Step 4: Run benchmark ==="
+echo "  Duration:    ${DURATION}s"
+echo "  Rate:        ${RATE} Hz/connection"
+echo "  Connections: ${CONNECTIONS}"
+echo ""
+
+"$BUILD_DIR/mavlink_forwarding_bench" \
+    --duration "$DURATION" \
+    --rate "$RATE" \
+    --connections "$CONNECTIONS" \
+    --report "${RESULT_PREFIX}_sender.csv" \
+    2>&1 | tee "${RESULT_PREFIX}_bench.log"
+
+echo ""
+echo "=== Step 5: Perf counters ==="
+echo "The benchmark tool reads perf counters from the board automatically"
+echo "via the MAVLink shell protocol. Check the bench log above for BENCH lines."
+
+echo ""
+echo "=== Step 6: Stop PX4 ==="
+kill -INT "$PX4_PID" 2>/dev/null || true
+wait "$PX4_PID" 2>/dev/null || true
+
+# Extract bench lines from the benchmark log if available
+if grep -q "BENCH" "${RESULT_PREFIX}_bench.log" 2>/dev/null; then
+    echo "Perf counters:"
+    grep "BENCH" "${RESULT_PREFIX}_bench.log" | tee "${RESULT_PREFIX}_perf.txt"
+fi
+
+echo ""
+echo "=== Results saved ==="
+echo "  PX4 log:      ${RESULT_PREFIX}_px4.log"
+echo "  Bench log:    ${RESULT_PREFIX}_bench.log"
+echo "  Sender CSV:   ${RESULT_PREFIX}_sender.csv"
+echo "  Perf data:    ${RESULT_PREFIX}_perf.txt (if available)"
+echo ""
+echo "To compare runs:"
+echo "  diff <baseline>_perf.txt <after_fix>_perf.txt"
diff --git a/test/mavsdk_tests/test_mavlink_forwarding_bench.cpp b/test/mavsdk_tests/test_mavlink_forwarding_bench.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..d9c7a3cd2b10
--- /dev/null
+++ b/test/mavsdk_tests/test_mavlink_forwarding_bench.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,428 @@
+/****************************************************************************
+ *
+ *   Copyright (c) 2026 PX4 Development Team. All rights reserved.
+ *
+ * Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without
+ * modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions
+ * are met:
+ *
+ * 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright
+ *    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer.
+ * 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright
+ *    notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in
+ *    the documentation and/or other materials provided with the
+ *    distribution.
+ * 3. Neither the name PX4 nor the names of its contributors may be
+ *    used to endorse or promote products derived from this software
+ *    without specific prior written permission.
+ *
+ * THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS
+ * "AS IS" AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT
+ * LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS
+ * FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
+ * COPYRIGHT OWNER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT,
+ * INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING,
+ * BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS
+ * OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED
+ * AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT
+ * LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN
+ * ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE
+ * POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+ *
+ ****************************************************************************/
+
+/**
+ * @file test_mavlink_forwarding_bench.cpp
+ *
+ * MAVLink forwarding mutex benchmark.
+ * Sends high-rate broadcast messages to multiple PX4 MAVLink instances
+ * to measure the cost of mavlink_module_mutex in the forwarding path.
+ *
+ * Usage:
+ *   1. Start PX4 SITL: make px4_sitl_sih
+ *   2. Build and run this benchmark (see CMakeLists.txt)
+ *   3. After the run completes, dump perf counters in the PX4 console:
+ *      > perf
+ *
+ * The benchmark connects to two UDP ports (GCS + offboard) and floods
+ * broadcast DEBUG_FLOAT_ARRAY messages. Since target_system=0 (broadcast),
+ * every message hits forward_message() and gets forwarded to all other
+ * instances, creating real mutex contention between receiver threads.
+ */
+
+#include <mavsdk/mavsdk.h>
+#include <mavsdk/plugins/mavlink_passthrough/mavlink_passthrough.h>
+#include <mavsdk/plugins/shell/shell.h>
+#include <mavsdk/plugins/telemetry/telemetry.h>
+
+#include <atomic>
+#include <chrono>
+#include <cinttypes>
+#include <cmath>
+#include <csignal>
+#include <cstring>
+#include <iostream>
+#include <thread>
+#include <vector>
+
+using namespace mavsdk;
+using namespace std::chrono;
+using namespace std::chrono_literals;
+
+static std::atomic<bool> g_stop{false};
+
+static void signal_handler(int /*signum*/)
+{
+	g_stop.store(true);
+}
+
+struct SenderStats {
+	std::atomic<uint64_t> messages_sent{0};
+	std::atomic<uint64_t> send_errors{0};
+};
+
+// Send broadcast DEBUG_FLOAT_ARRAY at the given rate on a single connection.
+// Broadcast (sysid=0) ensures the message always enters forward_message().
+static void sender_thread(MavlinkPassthrough &passthrough,
+			  int rate_hz,
+			  SenderStats &stats)
+{
+	const auto interval = microseconds(1'000'000 / rate_hz);
+	auto next_send = steady_clock::now();
+
+	while (!g_stop.load()) {
+		// DEBUG_FLOAT_ARRAY is a good choice: variable-length, commonly supported,
+		// and has no side effects on PX4 when received.
+		// No target fields, so it defaults to broadcast forwarding in PX4.
+		auto result = passthrough.queue_message(
+		[](MavlinkAddress mavlink_address, uint8_t channel) {
+			mavlink_message_t msg{};
+			mavlink_msg_debug_float_array_pack_chan(
+				mavlink_address.system_id,
+				mavlink_address.component_id,
+				channel,
+				&msg,
+				0,           // time_usec
+				"bench",     // name
+				0,           // array_id
+				nullptr      // data (empty)
+			);
+			return msg;
+		});
+
+		if (result == MavlinkPassthrough::Result::Success) {
+			stats.messages_sent.fetch_add(1, std::memory_order_relaxed);
+
+		} else {
+			stats.send_errors.fetch_add(1, std::memory_order_relaxed);
+		}
+
+		next_send += interval;
+		std::this_thread::sleep_until(next_send);
+	}
+}
+
+static void print_usage(const char *bin)
+{
+	std::cout << "Usage: " << bin << " [options]\n"
+		  << "  --duration <sec>     Test duration in seconds (default: 60)\n"
+		  << "  --rate <hz>          Messages per second per connection (default: 200)\n"
+		  << "  --connections <n>    Number of UDP connections (default: 2)\n"
+		  << "  --url <url>          MAVSDK connection URL (e.g. serial:///dev/ttyACM0:57600)\n"
+		  << "                       When set, uses a single connection (ignores --connections)\n"
+		  << "  --gcs-port <port>    GCS UDP port (default: 14550)\n"
+		  << "  --api-port <port>    Offboard/API UDP port (default: 14540)\n"
+		  << "  --report <file>      Write CSV report to file (default: stdout)\n"
+		  << std::endl;
+}
+
+int main(int argc, char *argv[])
+{
+	int duration_sec = 60;
+	int rate_hz = 200;
+	int num_connections = 2;
+	int gcs_port = 14550;
+	int api_port = 14540;
+	std::string report_file;
+	std::string connection_url;
+
+	for (int i = 1; i < argc; ++i) {
+		std::string arg(argv[i]);
+
+		if (arg == "--duration" && i + 1 < argc) {
+			duration_sec = std::atoi(argv[++i]);
+
+		} else if (arg == "--rate" && i + 1 < argc) {
+			rate_hz = std::atoi(argv[++i]);
+
+		} else if (arg == "--connections" && i + 1 < argc) {
+			num_connections = std::atoi(argv[++i]);
+
+		} else if (arg == "--url" && i + 1 < argc) {
+			connection_url = argv[++i];
+			num_connections = 1;
+
+		} else if (arg == "--gcs-port" && i + 1 < argc) {
+			gcs_port = std::atoi(argv[++i]);
+
+		} else if (arg == "--api-port" && i + 1 < argc) {
+			api_port = std::atoi(argv[++i]);
+
+		} else if (arg == "--report" && i + 1 < argc) {
+			report_file = argv[++i];
+
+		} else if (arg == "--help" || arg == "-h") {
+			print_usage(argv[0]);
+			return 0;
+
+		} else {
+			std::cerr << "Unknown argument: " << arg << std::endl;
+			print_usage(argv[0]);
+			return 1;
+		}
+	}
+
+	if (duration_sec <= 0 || rate_hz <= 0 || num_connections <= 0) {
+		std::cerr << "Error: --duration, --rate, and --connections must be positive" << std::endl;
+		return 1;
+	}
+
+	if (num_connections > 10) {
+		std::cerr << "Error: max 10 connections (sysid 245-254)" << std::endl;
+		return 1;
+	}
+
+	signal(SIGINT, signal_handler);
+	signal(SIGTERM, signal_handler);
+
+	std::cout << "=== MAVLink Forwarding Mutex Benchmark ===" << std::endl;
+	std::cout << "Duration:    " << duration_sec << "s" << std::endl;
+	std::cout << "Rate:        " << rate_hz << " Hz per connection" << std::endl;
+	std::cout << "Connections: " << num_connections << std::endl;
+	std::cout << std::endl;
+
+	// Build list of connection URLs
+	std::vector<std::string> urls;
+
+	if (!connection_url.empty()) {
+		urls.push_back(connection_url);
+
+	} else {
+		std::vector<int> ports;
+
+		if (num_connections >= 1) {
+			ports.push_back(api_port);
+		}
+
+		if (num_connections >= 2) {
+			ports.push_back(gcs_port);
+		}
+
+		for (int i = 2; i < num_connections; ++i) {
+			ports.push_back(api_port + i);
+		}
+
+		for (int p : ports) {
+			urls.push_back("udp://:" + std::to_string(p));
+		}
+	}
+
+	// Create MAVSDK instances and connect
+	std::vector<std::unique_ptr<Mavsdk>> mavsdks;
+	std::vector<std::unique_ptr<MavlinkPassthrough>> passthroughs;
+
+	for (size_t i = 0; i < urls.size(); ++i) {
+		auto config = Mavsdk::Configuration(
+				      static_cast<uint8_t>(245 + i),  // unique sysid per connection
+				      MAV_COMP_ID_MISSIONPLANNER,
+				      false                           // not autopilot
+			      );
+		auto mavsdk = std::make_unique<Mavsdk>(config);
+
+		std::cout << "Connecting to " << urls[i] << " (sysid=" << (245 + i) << ")..." << std::endl;
+
+		auto result = mavsdk->add_any_connection(urls[i]);
+
+		if (result != ConnectionResult::Success) {
+			std::cerr << "Connection failed: " << urls[i] << std::endl;
+			return 1;
+		}
+
+		// Wait for system discovery
+		std::cout << "  Waiting for system..." << std::flush;
+		bool found = false;
+
+		for (int t = 0; t < 100; ++t) {  // 10 second timeout for serial
+			if (!mavsdk->systems().empty()) {
+				found = true;
+				break;
+			}
+
+			std::this_thread::sleep_for(100ms);
+		}
+
+		if (!found) {
+			std::cerr << "\n  Timeout waiting for system on " << urls[i] << std::endl;
+			return 1;
+		}
+
+		std::cout << " OK" << std::endl;
+
+		auto system = mavsdk->systems().front();
+		passthroughs.push_back(std::make_unique<MavlinkPassthrough>(system));
+		mavsdks.push_back(std::move(mavsdk));
+	}
+
+	std::cout << std::endl;
+	std::cout << "Starting " << passthroughs.size() << " sender threads at " << rate_hz << " Hz each..." << std::endl;
+	std::cout << "Total expected rate: " << (rate_hz * static_cast<int>(passthroughs.size())) << " msg/s" << std::endl;
+	std::cout << std::endl;
+
+	// Launch sender threads
+	std::vector<SenderStats> stats(passthroughs.size());
+	std::vector<std::thread> threads;
+
+	auto start_time = steady_clock::now();
+
+	for (size_t i = 0; i < passthroughs.size(); ++i) {
+		threads.emplace_back(sender_thread, std::ref(*passthroughs[i]), rate_hz, std::ref(stats[i]));
+	}
+
+	// Progress reporting
+	auto report_interval = 5s;
+	auto next_report = start_time + report_interval;
+
+	while (!g_stop.load()) {
+		auto now = steady_clock::now();
+
+		if (now >= start_time + seconds(duration_sec)) {
+			break;
+		}
+
+		if (now >= next_report) {
+			auto elapsed = duration_cast<seconds>(now - start_time).count();
+			uint64_t total_sent = 0;
+			uint64_t total_errors = 0;
+
+			for (auto &s : stats) {
+				total_sent += s.messages_sent.load(std::memory_order_relaxed);
+				total_errors += s.send_errors.load(std::memory_order_relaxed);
+			}
+
+			double actual_rate = static_cast<double>(total_sent) / static_cast<double>(elapsed);
+			std::cout << "[" << elapsed << "s] sent=" << total_sent
+				  << " errors=" << total_errors
+				  << " rate=" << static_cast<int>(actual_rate) << " msg/s"
+				  << std::endl;
+
+			next_report += report_interval;
+		}
+
+		std::this_thread::sleep_for(100ms);
+	}
+
+	// Stop senders
+	g_stop.store(true);
+
+	for (auto &t : threads) {
+		t.join();
+	}
+
+	auto end_time = steady_clock::now();
+	double total_elapsed = duration_cast<milliseconds>(end_time - start_time).count() / 1000.0;
+
+	// Final report
+	std::cout << std::endl;
+	std::cout << "=== Results ===" << std::endl;
+	std::cout << "Elapsed:     " << total_elapsed << "s" << std::endl;
+
+	uint64_t grand_total_sent = 0;
+	uint64_t grand_total_errors = 0;
+
+	for (size_t i = 0; i < stats.size(); ++i) {
+		uint64_t sent = stats[i].messages_sent.load();
+		uint64_t errors = stats[i].send_errors.load();
+		double rate = static_cast<double>(sent) / total_elapsed;
+
+		std::cout << "  Connection " << i << " (" << urls[i] << "): "
+			  << "sent=" << sent
+			  << " errors=" << errors
+			  << " rate=" << static_cast<int>(rate) << " msg/s"
+			  << std::endl;
+
+		grand_total_sent += sent;
+		grand_total_errors += errors;
+	}
+
+	double grand_rate = static_cast<double>(grand_total_sent) / total_elapsed;
+	std::cout << "  Total: sent=" << grand_total_sent
+		  << " errors=" << grand_total_errors
+		  << " rate=" << static_cast<int>(grand_rate) << " msg/s"
+		  << std::endl;
+
+	std::cout << std::endl;
+	std::cout << "Now run 'perf' in the PX4 console to dump forwarding perf counters." << std::endl;
+	std::cout << "Look for:" << std::endl;
+	std::cout << "  mavlink: fwd_msg total   -- total forward_message() time" << std::endl;
+	std::cout << "  mavlink: fwd_msg lock    -- time under mavlink_module_mutex" << std::endl;
+	std::cout << "  mavlink: comp_seen total -- static component_was_seen() time" << std::endl;
+	std::cout << "  mavlink: unsigned_cb     -- accept_unsigned_callback time" << std::endl;
+
+	// CSV report output
+	FILE *out = stdout;
+
+	if (!report_file.empty()) {
+		out = fopen(report_file.c_str(), "w");
+
+		if (!out) {
+			std::cerr << "Failed to open report file: " << report_file << std::endl;
+			out = stdout;
+		}
+	}
+
+	fprintf(out, "connection,url,sysid,messages_sent,send_errors,duration_s,rate_hz_requested,rate_hz_actual\n");
+
+	for (size_t i = 0; i < stats.size(); ++i) {
+		uint64_t sent = stats[i].messages_sent.load();
+		uint64_t errors = stats[i].send_errors.load();
+		double rate = static_cast<double>(sent) / total_elapsed;
+
+		fprintf(out, "%zu,%s,%d,%" PRIu64 ",%" PRIu64 ",%.1f,%d,%.1f\n",
+			i, urls[i].c_str(), static_cast<int>(245 + i),
+			sent, errors, total_elapsed, rate_hz, rate);
+	}
+
+	if (out != stdout) {
+		fclose(out);
+		std::cout << "CSV report written to: " << report_file << std::endl;
+	}
+
+	// Read bench counters from the board via MAVLink shell
+	std::cout << std::endl;
+	std::cout << "=== Reading board perf counters ===" << std::endl;
+
+	auto system = mavsdks.front()->systems().front();
+	Shell shell(system);
+
+	std::string shell_output;
+	std::atomic<bool> got_bench{false};
+
+	shell.subscribe_receive([&](std::string output) {
+		shell_output += output;
+		std::cout << output;
+
+		if (output.find("fwd_msg lock") != std::string::npos) {
+			got_bench.store(true);
+		}
+	});
+
+	shell.send("mavlink status");
+
+	for (int i = 0; i < 100 && !got_bench.load(); ++i) {
+		std::this_thread::sleep_for(100ms);
+	}
+
+	std::this_thread::sleep_for(500ms);
+
+	return 0;
+}