DE&S secures six Land Ceptor missile systems from MBDA

Image courtesy DE&S

The three-year contract will deliver not only the six MRAD (Medium Range Air Defence) Land Ceptor launchers but also a suite of supporting equipment, including 12 fire unit support vehicles for ammunition, eight vehicles for baggage, and eight threat evaluation and weapon assignment systems. Additionally, the contract includes resources for spares to support the Land Ceptor and the wider Sky Sabre system of systems.

The Land Ceptor systems, which fire CAMM (Common Anti-Air Modular) missiles, are a key component of the Sky Sabre air defence system. This cutting-edge technology is capable of intercepting cruise missiles, aircraft, and drones with remarkable precision. It is so accurate that it can hit a tennis-ball-sized object travelling at twice the speed of sound, while simultaneously guiding 24 missiles to intercept separate targets.

Peter Mackay, Head of Lethality and Protect-1 Air and Missile Defence, said: “Sky Sabre is a key capability for the British Army with its ability to intercept multiple targets simultaneously. The Land Ceptor launcher element of this system delivers proven high accuracy and speed, and this announcement marks a significant increase in the UK Armed Forces’ ability to defend our nation and allies.”

The system was recently tested during Exercise Formidable Shield, a NATO-led exercise held at the QinetiQ-run range in the Outer Hebrides. This marked the first live firing of the system in the UK, showcasing its ability to operate seamlessly within NATO’s integrated air and missile defence network. It has also been deployed in Poland as part of Operation Stifftail, strengthening NATO’s eastern flank and demonstrating the UK’s commitment to its NATO allies.

Lieutenant Colonel James Boutle, Commanding Officer of the 16th Regiment Royal Artillery, said: “Sky Sabre represents a step change in the UK’s ground-based air defence capability. As the Army’s most advanced air defence system, it provides a powerful shield against modern airborne threats, from fast jets to precision-guided weapons and drones.

“For 16th Regiment Royal Artillery, operating Sky Sabre is both a privilege and a responsibility – ensuring we are trained and ready to strengthen the UK’s contribution to NATO when called upon. As part of this, we work hand-in-hand with industry partners such as MBDA here in the UK to continuously optimise the system to ensure it remains on the cutting edge – a collaboration that guarantees we stay ahead of adversary technology.”

The contract with MBDA is also expected to support up to 140 jobs across the UK, including at MBDA’s manufacturing site in Bolton, Lancashire. This is part of a broader effort to use defence as an engine for economic growth, in line with the Government’s Plan for Change. The Bolton site, which already supports 1,300 jobs, recently announced an expansion that will create 700 new roles, further contributing to the region’s economic prosperity.

Chris Allam, Managing Director of MBDA UK, said: “We welcome this contract as it builds on our strategic partnership with the UK Ministry of Defence. Land Ceptor is an excellent example of the innovative capability that this partnership has produced and delivered to the British Army. Building these weapon systems has been a key part of our growth at our Bolton site, and this contract helps us to sustain this expansion going forward.

“Manufacturing more launchers will provide more jobs and sustain many vital partners in our supply chain. Just as importantly, it will give the Army the decisive military capability and increased scale needed in air defence.”

Sky Sabre, which replaced the older Rapier system, is composed of three key components: a Giraffe Agile Multi Beam 3D medium-range surveillance radar, a Battle Management and Intelligence suite for command and control, and the Land Ceptor launcher and missile system.