Shropshire Star

£850m Sea Ceptor missile defence system enters into service

The system is said to be capable of destroying enemy missiles travelling at supersonic speeds.

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Sea Ceptor has officially entered into service, the Defence Secretary will announce (MBDA/Ministry of Defence/PA)

A new missile defence system which will protect the Royal Navy’s aircraft carriers has entered into service, the Defence Secretary will announce on Thursday.

Sea Ceptor, developed at a cost of about £850 million, can intercept and destroy enemy missiles travelling at supersonic speeds.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson, who will make the announcement at the Rusi Sea Power conference in London, said the system would “protect our nation against the intensifying threats we face today and in the future”.

The type 23 frigate HMS Montrose (MBDA/Ministry of Defence/PA)
The type 23 frigate HMS Montrose (MBDA/Ministry of Defence/PA)

“HMS Argyll will be the first ship to deploy with this cutting-edge system when she heads to support peace and security in the Asia Pacific region later this year.”

The news follows successful trials and a test firing campaign which started last year, including from HMS Argyll off the coast of Scotland.

HMS Westminster and HMS Montrose, the second and third ships to be fitted with the system, have also carried out successful firings.

Sea Ceptor is being fitted to replace the Sea Wolf system on the Type 23 frigates.

The news follows a successful test firing campaign (MBDA/Ministry of Defence/PA)
The news follows a successful test firing campaign (MBDA/Ministry of Defence/PA)

It uses MBDA’s next-generation Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) as well as innovations in radar and datalink technology.

Richard Smart, director weapons for the MOD’s procurement organisation Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S), said: “Sea Ceptor’s entry into service with the Royal Navy is a significant milestone.

“It’s really exciting to be delivering a new capability that will form part of the protection for the new aircraft carriers and will help to keep our service personnel and our country safe.”

During tests from HMS Montrose, the system successfully intercepted a fast-moving drone target. Within seconds of the missile bursting from the ship’s silo, the simulated threat was destroyed.

Commander Conor O’Neill, the Commanding Officer of HMS Montrose, said the system represented a “vastly improved capability” for the Navy, adding: “(It) puts us ahead of the game in being able to defend ourselves and our new aircraft carriers from threat.”

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