UK Defence Journal

By George Allison

21 September 2024

Source: https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/british-warships-will-be-armed-for-ballistic-missile-defence/

The new UK government has reconfirmed plans to equip Type 45 destroyers with ballistic missile defence capabilities, following an inquiry by Conservative MP James Cartlidge regarding the future of the Sea Viper missile system.

The confirmation, which comes from Labour’s recently appointed Minister of State for Defence, Maria Eagle, marks the first public acknowledgement under the new government that this critical upgrade to the Royal Navy’s warships will proceed.

The programme, known as the “Sea Viper Evolution,” is intended to enhance the Type 45’s Multi-Function Radar, Combat Management System (CMS), Command and Control (C2), and Aster 30 missile systems.

The upgrade is being rolled out in two stages, with the first already in the Demonstration and Manufacture Phase and the second currently under Assessment, expected to complete by 2025.

“The enhancement of Sea-Viper is named Sea-Viper Evolution, which includes upgrades to the Type 45 Destroyer’s Multi Function Radar, Combat Management System (CMS), Weapon Command and Control, and the Aster 30 missile,” Eagle said, reaffirming the Ministry of Defence’s (MoD) commitment to strengthening the destroyer’s capabilities.

Originally announced by the previous Conservative government, the Sea Viper upgrade includes plans for the UK to become the first European nation to operate a maritime ballistic missile defence (BMD) capability.

This will allow the destroyers to detect and intercept advanced anti-ship ballistic missiles, an increasing threat in modern naval warfare. The defence system will use the Aster 30 Block 1 missile, previously only available in land-based systems, and will be adapted for maritime use.

A £300 million contract for the initial stages of this upgrade was signed last year with MBDA, the European defence company tasked with converting the Aster 30 missile for use on the UK’s destroyers. 

This contract supports over 100 jobs in the UK across several key locations, including Stevenage, Cowes, Bristol, and Bolton.

As the Labour government prepares for its upcoming Defence Review, this confirmation of continuity underlines the importance placed on addressing longstanding concerns raised about Royal Navy vulnerability to ballistic missile threats.

“Joining our French and Italian counterparts will see us collectively improve the cutting-edge technology our armed forces possess,” said previous Defence Procurement Minister Jeremy Quin at the time of the initial contract announcement.