New missile system to shield the Fleet from air attack

This is your very first look at Sea Ceptor – the next-generation air defence missile for the Fleet.

The MoD today announced that it had signed a £483m deal with defence firm MBDA to equip the current generation of frigates – and the future Type 26 Global Combat Ship – with a new shield against aerial attack.

Sea Ceptor is designed to deal with multiple incoming targets at the same time, launching from a vertical silo and accelerating towards the threats at three times the speed of sound, knocking them out of the sky up to around a dozen miles from its mother ship.

The system uses a new UK-developed missile and can protect an area of around 500 square miles over land or sea.

It will replace the battle-proven Seawolf which successfully defended Type 22 frigates in the Falklands and has subsequently been fitted to the entire Type 23 frigate fleet.

Although Seawolf has undergone a revamp recently which effectively doubles the missile’s range, it’s due to reach the end of its active life in 2016.

With that in mind, a replacement is needed – hence the contract with MBDA to develop Sea Ceptor over the next five years.

The deal will sustain around 500 jobs in MBDA and its supply chain across the UK in places such as Stevenage, Filton and Lostock.

“This new weapon system will equip our frigates to deal with the type of sophisticated missile threat expected in the coming decades,” said First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope.

“Investment in advanced defence technology, such as Sea Ceptor, is vital to ensure the Royal Navy’s continued ability to defend the UK’s interests wherever necessary.”

Defence Equipment Minister Peter Luff, who’s visiting MBDA’s Filton works today to discuss the Sea Ceptor system, said:

“The development of this missile system is a huge boost to the UK’s world-leading missile industry and once again proves our commitment to providing battle-winning technology to our Armed Forces.

“The introduction of this cutting edge missile system will not only ensure that the Royal Navy will be able to continue protecting our interests wherever they may be,  but is also highly significant in sustaining and developing the UK’s skill in building complex weapons.” 

Chief of Defence Materiel Bernard Gray added:

“There is no room for complacency when it comes to providing the Armed Forces with the kit that they require and the development of Sea Ceptor is testament to the forward thinking attitude of the MoD.

“While we are committed to providing our Armed Forces with the kit they need now it is also vital that we have one eye on the future and the threats that may face us.”  

After being fitted to the 13 Type 23s in service (the oldest, Argyll, will serve until around 2023, the youngest, St Albans, until 2036), Sea Ceptor will be installed on the Type 26s, replacement for the 23s, which begin to join the Fleet at the beginning of the next decade.