Type 26 Sea Ceptor contract signed
The British Royal Navy’s Type 26 Global Combat Ships are set to carry the Sea Ceptor air defence system, with a £100 million demonstration and manufacture contract issued to MBDA by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD). The contract was announced on 4 November.
The contract will run for ten years and covers support to the T26 design as well as the manufacture of the electronics equipment required for the class of eight ships.
Sea Ceptor and its Common Anti-air Modular Missile (CAMM) munition is an advanced missile system that will provide the principal air defence of the T26 and nearby ships against advanced airborne threats including sea-skimming anti-ship missiles, fast jets, helicopters, and UAVs.
James Allibone MBDA’s UK sales and business development director, said: ‘This investment in the Sea Ceptor system is going to give the Royal Navy and partner navies outstanding air defence cover. Thanks to the Portfolio Management Agreement with the UK MoD, MBDA is providing a common missile system for both naval and land use thereby significantly reducing the cost that would have been involved in developing separate systems.’
Sea Ceptor is currently undergoing qualification for the Royal Navy’s Type 23 frigates and the Royal New Zealand Navy’s ANZAC frigates. CAMM will also feature in providing the British Army’s primary ground based air defence capability when it replaces the currently in-service Rapier system.
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