The Royal Navy is investing 500 million pounds ($688 million) to upgrade the air defense capabilities of its Type 45 destroyer fleet.
As part of the upgrade, MBDA UK will integrate the Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM), often referred to as Sea Ceptor, with the destroyer’s Sea Viper weapon systems in 11 years, the service revealed in a statement.
Additionally, Paris-based Eurosam will provide a “refresh” to the vessel’s Aster 30 anti-air missile system in 10 years.
Type 45
The Royal Navy’s six Type 45 destroyers perform a range of tasks, including air defense, counter-piracy, and providing humanitarian aid.
“These programs will provide an exceptional capability to the front line, ensuring the RN (Royal Navy) remains poised to defend the surface fleet, and most importantly the Carrier Strike Group, against complex air threats both now and into the future,” Royal Navy Fleet Commander, Vice Admiral Jerry Kyd said.
The vessel currently uses a combination of short-range Aster 15 and long-range Aster 30 anti-air missiles.
The Upgrade
The integration work will see the addition of a new 24-missile CAMM silo in front of the current 48-missile Aster 30 silos.
The addition is expected to double the vessel’s protection from incoming missiles and other aerial threats such as small, fast inshore attack craft and hovering helicopters.
The second contract, meanwhile, will see “a tri-national sustainment and enhancement contract between the UK, France, and Italy which includes investment in a dedicated UK embodiment facility at Defence Munitions in Gosport, Hampshire.”
“The introduction of the UK produced CAMM missile in conjunction with the current Aster 30 missile will provide the Type 45 with a significant uplift in anti-air capability into the future as the Type 45 delivers the backbone of air defense to the Royal Navy’s Carrier Strike Group,” CEO Defence Equipment & Support, Simon Bollom said.