The Minister visited defence company MBDA’s site in Filton, near
Bristol, meeting with local graduates, apprentices and other
employees working on the Sea Ceptor system.
The new air missile defence system can intercept and destroy
enemy missiles travelling at supersonic speeds and will form part
of the protection for the nation’s new aircraft carriers. The
first firings were conducted from Type 23 frigate HMS Argyll
whilst off the coast of Scotland.
Sea Ceptor will protect our interests against threats both
known and unknown. It will launch from the Royal Navy’s new
Type 26 frigates as they keep our nuclear deterrent submarines
and the UK’s two new aircraft carriers safe on operations
around the globe.
Sea Ceptor supports 600 UK jobs and is yet another example of
how our rising defence budget is being spent on cutting-edge
kit to help our Armed Forces meet future threats.
Sea Ceptor, which uses MBDA’s next-generation Common Anti-air
Modular Missile (CAMM), is being fitted to replace the Sea Wolf
weapon system on the Type 23 frigates. The air defence system
will also be used on the new Type 26 frigates and Land Ceptor,
which will replace Rapier for the British Army.
Using innovations in radar and datalink technology that will
guide these potent missiles with pinpoint accuracy, Sea Ceptor
will provide the Royal Navy with an improved shield against
airborne threats such as the new generation of supersonic
anti-ship missiles, fast jets, helicopters and unmanned aerial
vehicles.
Commander Toby Shaughnessy, the Commanding Officer of HMS Argyll,
said:
This is an exciting upgrade in capability and a great
opportunity for HMS Argyll to demonstrate what the missile
system can do to protect our ships from future threats.
Sea Ceptor is an impressive and innovative system,
demonstrating that the Royal Navy is at the cutting edge of
technology and working hard to keep Britain safe. I am
immensely proud of my ship’s company and the work they put in
to make this test firing possible.
HMS Argyll will conduct further firing trials of the Sea Ceptor
system before she deploys to Japan next year. Alongside
providing robust self-defence, importantly Sea Ceptor defends
escort vessels within a maritime task group, such as for the
new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.
The system uses a new UK-developed missile capable of reaching
speeds of up to Mach 3 and will have the ability to deal with
multiple targets simultaneously, protecting an area of around
500 square miles (1,300 square kilometres) over land or sea.
As part of MBDA’s CAMM programme, Sea Ceptor supports around
600 MBDA jobs and its supply chain in key locations across the
UK such as Stevenage, Filton and Bolton.
Tony Douglas, Chief Executive Officer for the MOD’s procurement
organisation Defence Equipment and Support, which is based at MOD
Abbey Wood in Bristol, said:
The firings are an important step forward in proving the
significant improvements over previous air defence systems
and further evidence of our commitment to provide the very
best equipment to our armed forces.
The Defence Minister also visited Airbus’ plant in Filton, near
Bristol, which is the heart of the design and manufacture of
some of the world’s most technologically advanced aircraft. The
Minister met with some of Airbus’ 6000 local employees,
including engineers working on research and technology for
future aircraft projects.
The news comes after the Defence Minister confirmed
a £100m contract to fit
the Sea Ceptor system to the Type 26 frigates last
year. Earlier this year Defence Secretary Sir also announced
a £539 million investment
in new missiles systems.
